Glasgow Rangers’ last chance to win a trophy this season is to win the Scottish Premiership title, where they are six points clear with nine games remaining.
They have already been knocked out of both the domestic cup competition and the Europa League, meaning they must make a remarkable comeback in the title race if they are to avoid another winless season.
The Light Blues failed to win a trophy in the 2024/25 season. Their last trophy was the League Cup in 2023/24 under Philippe Clement.
Since that trophy, the Rangers have made too many poor decisions over the last couple of years that have cost them money, both in management and recruiting.
Too many of last summer’s signings, including attacking midfielder Thero Asgaard, have failed to step up and perform to the required standards.
How was Rohl able to unlock Thelo Aasgaard?
The Norway international was signed from Luton Town last summer for £3.5m, becoming the club’s second-most expensive attacking midfielder after his £4m move from Lazio, but his performances at Ibrox this season have been underwhelming.
Five goals and three assists in 39 games shows that Asgord is not providing enough quality at the top end of the pitch to justify the money spent on his services.
The 23-year-old’s failure has seen him fall down the pecking order under manager Danny Rohr, as he has been left unused in three of the last four games, but he still has a way back.
Asgort is typically used as a central or attacking midfielder, but could play in the role that Ryan Naderi has played as a foil to Youssef Chelmiti. That’s because his ability as a ball striker eases the creative burden.
The Norwegian forward has shown clinical superiority in front of goal, scoring four goals from 3.68xG in the Scottish Premiership, and his finishing quality and ball-striking ability could be better displayed in a second striker position alongside Cermiti, diving into the box for second balls and crosses, rather than playing as a midfielder.
While this tactical change brings out the best in Asgard and could revive his Ibrox career, they are fast becoming Todd Cantwell 2.0 and have fellow summer signings who should simply be sold later this year.
Who will be the next Todd Cantwell after the Rangers’ failure?
Rangers appeared to have hit the jackpot when Cantwell joined Ibrox from Norwich in January 2023, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 16 league appearances in the second half of the season.
The English attacking midfielder failed to provide the same level of consistency in front of goal in his first full season in Glasgow, registering seven goals and five assists in 30 league games in 2023/24 before being sold to Blackburn Rovers.
Jaydee Gassama is currently in danger of becoming the next Cantwell at Ibrox as he has struggled in recent months after making a rapid start following his £2.2m move from Sheffield Wednesday last summer.
The French attacker was tipped to become a superstar for the Light Blues after scoring four goals in six Champions League qualifying games for the club in July and August.
Unfortunately, his run in the Champions League looks like a blip at the moment, as he has scored just two goals in 29 appearances in the Premiership this season.
He has started seven more games (22) than the Norwegian (15) and has scored half as many league goals as Asgor (4), despite having a higher xG (4.42) than the midfielder (3.68).
25/26 Premiership | Gassama | asgard |
|---|---|---|
Appearance | 29 | twenty four |
xG | 4.42 | 3.68 |
the goal | 2 | 4 |
A big opportunity has arisen | 4 | 3 |
assist | 3 | 2 |
dribbling success rate | 55% | 71% |
The Frenchman has been even less effective than Asgord at the top end of the pitch, making fewer goal contributions even with more appearances and starts, and is becoming a Cantwell on the roll as he stalls after a rapid start.
Rangers rejected a £10m offer for Gassama from Ligue 1 side Monaco in the January transfer window, but this shows they are actively interested in him and the German manager should consider moving on from him in the summer.
If they can approach his £10m transfer fee in the summer, Rangers should capitalize on the Frenchman and aim to sign a more productive and consistent wide player in their bid to win next season’s trophies.
Look out for Skov Olsen: Rangers are already brewing the next Moore at Ibrox
Even if Mikey Moore returns to Tottenham this summer, there are reasons for Rangers to be optimistic.
That stance could change if Gassama has a strong end to the season and shows improved form in front of goal, but selling him for a profit seems the best option at the moment.
