Why Rangers need to trust Thelo Aasgaard as Dundee United proved talisman potential

Rangers have a title-winning talent on their hands in Thelo Aasgaard.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder was signed from Luton Town last summer, but endured an up and down debut 2025-26 season in Govan.

His quality was shown in flashes rather than on a consistent basis, and he became a player who firmly split opinion amongst the Ibrox faithful.

Despite that, Aasgaard was still able to score eight goals and provide six assists in 48 total appearances, and has started 2026-27 with a bang.

Indeed, it was the Norwegian international who salvaged an opening day 1-1 draw against Dundee United with his excellent left-footed strike.

But that wasn't his only moment of brilliance at Tannadice on Friday, as his performance proved that if everyone at Rangers is right behind him, then Derek McInnes has a player there who can win many points himself.

What Thelo Aasgaard did better than anyone in Rangers vs Dundee United

Ibrox News tipped McInnes to name Aasgaard in his first competitive Rangers starting XI against Dundee United, and that's precisely what he did.

He only started 21 of his 33 Scottish Premiership games last term, and so becoming a more consistent starter will be a key aim for Aasgaard this year.

Performances like the one he put in against the Terrors will only help aid him in that pursuit, as he was Gers' best player on the park.

As per FotMob, no player on the pitch took more shots (four), completed more passes (38) or more successful dribbles (four) than Aasgaard did at Tannadice.

He also created one chance, put two shots on target, took six touches in the United box, played eight passes into the final third and attempted to put 11 crosses into the Terrors' box.

In addition to that, Aasgaard made eight recoveries, two clearances, one block and won four of his seven ground duels.

Firing venomous shots at the Dundee goal with both his left and right foot, he really showcased just how much quality resides in those boots, and why the number 10 role is his where he can impact games the most.

If he can keep hitting this sort of benchmark, then Aasgaard will quickly establish himself as one of the top players in the league moving forward.

And speaking after the Dundee draw, Aasgaard sounds determined to make that a reality for himself in 2026-27.

What Rangers promise has Aasgaard made?

Aasgaard knows that 2025-26 wasn't the debut season he was hoping for with Rangers.

Not only did the team fall away in the title race down the home stretch, but as aforementioned, his inconsistent form limited the impact he may otherwise have had.

However, speaking via ESPN after Friday's opening match, the Rangers number 11 has vowed to become an integral figure in McInnes' squad this term.

"I want to take some responsibility this year to be the man," he said. "Obviously I was happy with a lot of moments last year.

"I had some really good periods, but a few too many periods where I was out of the team and not having the impact on the pitch that I wanted.

"Just to prove a point that I should be in the team, and you should trust me to come in and make a difference.

"I'm just trying to show the manager that I should be in and around the team."

Now, he simply has to be trusted to do just that.