James Tavernier and Jack Butland respond to Thelo Aasgaard’s ‘amazing’ message
Russell Martin will be hoping that Thelo Aasgaard can bring his international form back to Rangers after a record-breaking win for Norway.
Rangers‘ start to their new era under 49ers Enterprises‘ ownership and Martin‘s management has been less than ideal so far, with four draws from four in the Scottish Premiership and just three goals scored.
That’s the fourth-lowest of any top-flight side and leaves the Light Blues seventh in the table with a six-point gap to the summit, on top of a 9-1 demolition by Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifiers.
Football Insider revealed on 4 September that Martin is already on the brink of the sack at Ibrox, but Aasgaard‘s latest display for Norway could help the Gers boss to aid their goal drought after the sale of Cyriel Dessers.
Thelo Aasgaard scores four for Norway in ‘amazing’ cameo
Aasgaard’s career has been something of a whirlwind with the 23-year-old already traversing three countries, representing Rangers and the Norway national team after coming through the ranks at Wigan.
Following a goal on his international debut for Norway, Aasgaard came off the bench to win his third cap against Moldova on Tuesday, with Erling Haaland four goals into a record-breaking haul of five already.
The Rangers forward made an impact and then some though, with Aasgaard scoring four goals from an xG of just 1.66 to round off a huge 11–1 victory for Norway and completed his hat-trick within 11 minutes.
After a four-goal spree over a 23-minute period, Aasgaard posted on Instagram to celebrate with a message which was ‘liked’ by Rangers team-mates Jack Butland, James Tavernier and John Souttar.
Aasgaard’s message said: “Special Night! 4 goals at Ullevaal Stadium is what dreams are made of – amazing group of people, hopefully many more memories to come”.
Russell Martin running out of time to maximise Rangers’ strengths
Football Insider Verdict
Although Rangers’ board look set to keep faith with Martin for the time being at least, the 39-year-old’s possession-orientated style of play has stunted their attack and contributed to a meagre goal output.
The Light Blues may have sealed a deadline day deal for Everton’s Youssef Chermiti after Dessers’ departure and shelled out an £8million fee to do so, but he hasn’t scored a senior goal since 2023.
Aasgaard may have come on as a right-winger for Norway with none other than Haaland to link up with in the middle, but if Martin wants to turn their goalscoring woes around, there’s little doubt that Aasgaard is Rangers’ only in-form attacker at the moment.