Ryan Naderi didn’t just introduce himself to the Ibrox faithful on Sunday; he may have inadvertently ended a teammate’s Rangers career. The 22-year-old’s clinical brace in the 8-0 demolition of Queen’s Park was the headline, but the tactical shift behind it speaks volumes about Danny Rohl’s future plans.
By pairing Naderi with Bojan Miovski in a traditional 4-4-2, Rohl discovered a lethal formula that fixed the toothless attacking displays seen in the recent 0-0 draw against Hibernian. With two strikers occupying the box, Rangers looked like a different animal but this evolution leaves one man out in the cold: Thelo Aasgaard.
The Tactical Sacrifice
The decision to ditch the number 10 role in favor of a double-pronged attack was justified by the sheer volume of chances created. Against Queen’s Park, Rangers consistently had five players in the box, a stark contrast to the “dull” displays of months prior where Youssef Chermiti was often left isolated.
For Aasgaard, this is a death knell. Signed from Luton Town to be the creative hub, the Norwegian has struggled to adapt to the physical demands of Scottish football.
The Aasgaard Slump (2025/26):
- Appearances: 30 (Premiership & Europa League)
- Output: Just 4 goals and 3 assists.
- The Lowlight: A red card in the League Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic.
- The Verdict: Described by Heart & Hand’s David Edgar as “totally anonymous” during the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock.
No Place to Hide
If Rohl sticks with the 4-4-2 that produced eight goals on Sunday, Aasgaard becomes a tactical “misfit.” He lacks the defensive discipline to play in a midfield double pivot (averaging a mere 1.5 tackles/interceptions) and doesn’t possess the raw pace required to flourish as a wide man in a flat four.
The Naderi Effect hasn’t just given Rangers a new goalscorer; it has given them a blueprint that doesn’t include a specialist playmaker.
The Verdict: A Summer Exit Looms
With Naderi and Miovski striking up an instant partnership, Aasgaard’s path to the starting XI is effectively blocked. Unless he can undergo a radical positional transformation, the former Wigan star looks set to be the biggest loser of the Rohl revolution.
As Rangers chase the title with this newfound aggression, don’t be surprised if Aasgaard is the first name on the “for sale” list this summer. The Ibrox experiment has failed, and Naderi’s debut was the final proof Rohl needed to move on.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
