For Thelo Aasgaard and Russell Martin, this is a partnership they’ve envisioned before. For the player, who’s spent much of his career in teams playing largely against the ball, the prospect of playing in a system that is oriented around it was a key reason a move at this stage in his career was made to Ibrox. For Martin, the player has untapped potential that can be enhanced and improved working under his tutelage and embracing his ideas.
The 23-year-old had to move this summer despite only joining Luton in January from Wigan, where he’d spent the first five years of his professional career. Relegation to League One with the Hatters meant Aasgaard, who is chasing a spot at next year’s World Cup, having earned a first Norway cap earlier this year, could not afford to stay and play at a level below his capabilities.
Despite interest from multiple clubs in a player who had a £3.5m relegation clause, although Rangers’ deal to sign the midfielder could rise to around £5m, the blend of Martin and Ibrox made up Aasgaard’s mind.
“The history of this club speaks for itself, but the manager being here was a big thing for me, he says, speaking from the club’s pre-season training camp at St George’s Park.
“Especially playing this style of football. Also, I want to focus on the World Cup next year. That’s obviously a massive goal of mine, so it was important for me to be in the top league of a country and playing in a position where I’d be playing for the national team.
“Loads of things like that made Rangers stick out. This move ticked a load of boxes. Playing in Europe would enhance my international chances as well but we’ve got to get there first. The manager is physically, technically and tactically demanding. But I think that gets the most out of players - and hopefully he can get the best out of me.”
Aasgaard has played against Martin’s teams in England, with first-hand experience of chasing shadows in search of the ball, perhaps wishing he himself was on the other side of the coin.
Having managed 14 goals last season across League One and the Championship, Aasgaard brings a profile of player to the Rangers squad that they’ve lacked. An athletic attacking midfielder who Luton staff compared to a profile of Morgan Rodgers or Ross Barkley upon arrival - with strength and technique to carry the ball in central areas, adding a direct goal threat.
“I’ve hardly touched the ball at times so I want to be on the other side of that now, especially being a possession-based player. Hopefully, I can thrive in his system.
“This will be one of the first times in my career I’ll be playing for a team with a lot of possession. At Wigan, a lot of the time, we were mid-table and not one of the better teams in the league.
“We did try to play a bit of football but at Rangers, it’ll be the first time I’ll be operating at the top end of the table. I want to be part of build-up play and link up with my team-mates.
“But at the same time, I know I need to have a cutting edge at the top end of the pitch, threading through balls and getting on the end of crosses. I want to create chances and score goals.
“I’ve got to embrace the pressure at Rangers. It’s a new challenge for me. Usually, I’ve been at one of the bottom teams. So I’m really excited to be here. There’s nothing to fear and I’m looking to make an impact. I’m a pretty laid-back character off the pitch. But on it, I try to make myself one of the leaders, in my own way.
“I’ll take the ball under pressure. Whenever there’s a big game with a big crowd, I remind myself why I started playing football - it’s because I love it.”
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Aasgaard says he has learned ‘so much’ and returned a better player every time he’s travelled away with Norway, training alongside Martin Oddegard, Erling Haaland and others. A goal in his full debut against Moldova earlier this year made good early impressions but national boss Stale Solbakken was clear that after relegation from the Championship, a place in the international set-up was dependent on playing at a higher level
“When the national manager said he wanted me to play at a higher level, it had a big impact on me, Aasgaard admits.
“If I want to be playing at the World Cup, he wants me to challenge myself at the highest level possible. With an opportunity like this at Rangers, it was hard to turn down. Hopefully, he’s happy.
“It’s a pleasure to meet up with the national team, I learn so much when I go away. I feel like I become a better player every time I go because I’m playing with some unbelievable quality. I’d like to think I’ve held my own there and shown myself well. I want to continue improving.
“In terms of leadership, it’s not something I’ve always had. I just try to lead in every game. I was actually quite a quiet kid growing up so it's skills that I’ve developed over the years - just like my football skills.
“The manager wants us to be more vocal on the pitch. We all want to be connected on the pitch, on and off the ball. That comes naturally with communication. That’s something I’m trying to add to my game.”
“I was a Liverpool fan growing up so I watched a lot of Gerrard and Torres, he says.
“But as I got older and I analysed the game more, I liked watching Coutinho, Isco, Modric, those types of players. I’ve got a long way to go before I reach their level but I’m chasing it. Steven obviously won a title here - it would be nice to do the same.”
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