logo
The moment Thelo Aasgaard won Erling Haaland's respect as Rangers star promises to bring the 'flair' to Ibrox

The moment Thelo Aasgaard won Erling Haaland's respect as Rangers star promises to bring the 'flair' to Ibrox

Daily Record05-07-2025
The £3.5m man has already impressed Haaland and co with a goal and an assist on his international debut
Thelo Asgaard took just 38 minutes on his Norway debut to show he belonged on the pitch with the likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
And now he's determined to bring what he's learned from those international superstars to Rangers and deliver a trophy rush for Russell Martin.

The new £3.5m man checked in from Luton Town and he's the latest part of a transfer drive that's seen Martin revamp the Ibrox lineup.

Aasgaard joins fellow new boys Emmanuel Fernandez, Joe Rothwell, Max Aarons and Lyall Cameron at the Rangers Training Centre and brings some international pedigree to Ibrox.
He's Liverpool born with a Scouse accent to rival Steven Gerrard's, but with a surname picked straight from Norse mythology, it's no surprise he chose Norway, for who he qualifies on his father Jonathan's side.
And back in March, he was given the nod by Stale Solbakken to start a World Cup qualifier against Moldova.
He joined Arsenal star Odegaard in midfield with Man City megastar Haaland leading the line. But it was Aasgaard who stole the show in the 5-0 rout; he assisted Julian Ryerson for the opener within five minutes, and got the moment he'd been waiting for roughly half an hour later when he slammed in his first goal for his country.
Haaland certainly approved; he was straight over to shake his hand as Aasgaard took the acclaim from his new teammates.
And on sharing a dressing room with Haaland and Odegaard, he told Rangers TV: "They really took me in well. I feel like part of the group. We've got a top, top group and we've had a strong start to the World Cup qualifiers.

"To play in the World Cup next year is a big goal for me and hopefully I can show the manager I'm ready with some of my performances here.
"I'll add a bit of flare. I'm full of confidence, not afraid to shoot from distance. I like to link up with my teammates and form connections at the top of the pitch.
"I like to be part of the buildup phase as well as getting in the box and scoring goals."

Aasgaard is an admirer of new Ibrox boss Martin's and, having been given the runaround by his Swansea team while playing for Wigan, he's looking forward to being on the other side of the stick.
He's only been in the building one day but the new No.11 already understands exactly what the Englishman wants from him.

And the 23-year-old is determined to prove he's worth the £3.5m price tag.
"I think just to have the trust from him (Martin) is really important," he went on. 'Even being here for only one day, I can already see that he wants me to express myself within his system. I'm just looking forward to being part of this successful year.
"I remember when we played his Swansea teams, we didn't really tough the ball. I always thought it would be fun to play in that sort of team!
"I feel at home already. The facilities are fantastic. It's a really good changing room, I can't wait.
"It just feels like the right thing for my career to be playing in front of some amazing fans at an amazing stadium. This is what I've been dreaming of."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Leanne Crichton reveals Rangers move was one of her 'toughest ever decisions'
Leanne Crichton reveals Rangers move was one of her 'toughest ever decisions'

Daily Record

time35 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Leanne Crichton reveals Rangers move was one of her 'toughest ever decisions'

The 72-time Scotland cap is the new head coach of Rangers' women's side after leaving Glasgow City Leanne Crichton admitted leaving Glasgow City for Rangers might have been the toughest decision she's ever had to make in football. ‌ But now she's been officially unveiled as the new women's team boss at Ibrox, she's out to make them Scottish football's dominant force. ‌ Crichton is one of the most recognisable faces in the women's game having played 72 times for Scotland and, after completing her UEFA Pro License this summer, she had been working with Leanne Ross at Glasgow City until the offer from Rangers arrived. ‌ She replaces Jo Potter who left for Crystal Palace after winning both cups last season but coming up short in the SWPL, finishing third behind champions Hibs and City. ''Making the decision wasn't an easy one,' she said in a Glasgow City statement. 'It is one that has brought the most emotion I have ever felt in football. I love the people and I love the environment, especially working with Leanne [Ross] and that made it one of the toughest decision I've had to make. ''I think anyone who follows the club [City], and has done for so a long time knows what this club means to me, and the significance of this decision.' She has immediately vowed, though, to make Rangers the dominant force in the SWPL. Crichton, also a prominent face and voice on BBC's coverage of Scottish football in recent years, is itching to get the most out of a squad that she believes has the necessary quality to be the best in the country. 'I am really excited, It is a privilege to be here,' she told Rangers social media team. 'When you look at the 1 per cent and the differences that can be made in terms of taking the team to the next step, for me that's the real ambition. ‌ 'I don't think being second best is acceptable here and for us that will be the aim and the ambition that we deliver a successful team on the pitch. 'Ultimately we are trying to create that high performance environment where the players strive to be the best version of themselves daily. 'To be here and to be the head coach that leads the team ultimately this season where we are striving to have so many games at Ibrox. 'We will be an exciting team to watch, we will be a successful team. It is an honour and a privilege to be here. 'I know with the fans combined with the team and the quality that we have got that there will be exciting times to come.'

AEK Athens eye Cyriel Dessers transfer alternative as Rangers Champions League foes leave £7.5m man behind
AEK Athens eye Cyriel Dessers transfer alternative as Rangers Champions League foes leave £7.5m man behind

Daily Record

timean hour ago

  • Daily Record

AEK Athens eye Cyriel Dessers transfer alternative as Rangers Champions League foes leave £7.5m man behind

AEK had been keen on Dessers but now appear to have turned their attensions elsewhere AEK Athens appear to have given up on signing Cyriel Dessers as they close in on a deal for ex Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic. ‌ The Rangers frontman had plenty of interest this summer despite mixed reviews from his two seasons at Ibrox and Russell Martin claimed after their draw with Motherwell at the weekend that Dessers was the only player they have received a formal bid for this summer. ‌ That is widely thought to have been from Athens where AEK had been very keen to take him to Greece. ‌ But after Martin talked Dessers up as the shining example to other players who haven't shown the same commitment to the cause, it now appears AEK are looking elsewhere. Marca report they are closing in on a free transfer for Jovic, who left AC Milan earlier this summer. The 27-year-old was once a £60m signing for Real Madrid after impressing with Eintracht Frankfurt but recent years haven't gone to plan – he struggled for minutes last season and scored just four goals. Now AEK appear to have won the race which would effectively close the door on a move for Dessers. On the Nigerian, boss Martin said over the weekend: "I said to some of the guys in there, Cyriel is the only one we have actually had a bid for and interest in. And he comes on and he runs so hard, on Wednesday night and today. ‌ "Some of them need to have a look at him and set that example. Meanwhile Viktoria Plzen will be without key midfielder Pavel Sulc for their clash with Rangers as he gets set to seal a move to Lyon. Sulc has scored 47 times in 167 appearances for the Czech side and is widely viewed as their best player – pinpointed as one of the danger men ahead of the two-leg third qualifying round tie with the Ibrox side. ‌ But he's set to seal a £7.5m move to Lyon and Plzen have confirmed he hasn't travelled to Glasgow. A curt statement from the club reads: "Midfielder Pavel Sulc will no longer be on board the flight (to Glasgow), as his transfer abroad is being finalised." Should Rangers get past the Czechs, they learned today it will be Club Brugge or Red Bull Salzburg standing between them and the lucrative league phase of the competition. They host Plzen at Ibrox in the first leg tomorrow night and the deadline for squad registration for that tie is tonight. It's understood Oliver Antman could be announced on Monday which would tee up a race against time to get the new striker registered. Winger Mikey Moore, who arrived from Tottenham last week, could also be involved.

'Here we go': Rangers transfer impact after club 'strikes deal' for 10-goal striker
'Here we go': Rangers transfer impact after club 'strikes deal' for 10-goal striker

Scotsman

timean hour ago

  • Scotsman

'Here we go': Rangers transfer impact after club 'strikes deal' for 10-goal striker

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers may see a summer departure from Ibrox scuppered. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A potential move for Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers to AEK Athens has been thrown into further doubt after it was revealed that the Greek side are close to finalising a deal for AC Milan forward Luka Jović. The Nigerian forward has been heavily linked with a move to the Super League giants throughout the summer, with reports indicating that the 30-year-old had 'verbally agreed' on personal terms on a move to OPAP Arena, though the switch hit a snag when the two clubs were unable to reach an agreement over the player's valuation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers. | SNS Group Rangers head coach Russell Martin spoke openly about Dessers' future during his scathing post-match interview after the 1-1 draw against Motherwell at the weekend, saying: 'Cyriel is the only one that we've actually had a bid for, and he comes on and he runs so hard,' following their opening day draw. 'He's not ready to start because he had an injury and he's trained late, and then he comes on for two games and runs like a beast and gets on with it because he's a good professional, a good human being.' Despite praise from his head coach, links to a summer departure have continued to cloud the striker's start to the campaign. However, the impending arrival of Jović could now have a knock-on effect regarding AEK Athens' pursuit of Dessers, with his departure from Rangers surely in doubt once the AC Milan ace rubber stamps his move to the Greek Super League. The addition of the Serbian international, who has scored 10 goals for his country, means Énosi could now call on any of Aboubakary Koïta, Anthony Martial, Zini or Jović in their forward line, potentially throwing their pursuit of the Rangers number nine into serious doubt. According to a report from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, 27-year-old Jović is set to sign a deal in the Greek capital until 2027, with Marko Nikolić's side fighting off competition from Real Oviedo for the Serbian international over the weekend. He is expected in Athens soon to finalise the move. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Premiership's top scorer last season with 18 goals, Dessers has endured a turbulent two-year stint at Ibrox following his move from Cremonese in the summer of 2023. Despite scoring over 50 goals for the club, his time at Rangers has polarised fans, who have oscillated between praise and frustration, leading to debates about whether the club should opt to sell Dessers this summer, and reinvest in the squad, and AEK Athens' subsequent interest.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store