Thelo Aasgaard is Rangers 'points player' who's at home among the elite as Norway boss thrilled with Ibrox step up
For some young players it might have been a daunting prospect.
Turning up for your first international camp with Norway - and immediately being thrown in with some superstar talent.
But when Thelo Aasgaard was handed a debut alongside the likes of Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth, he didn't look out of place.
Instead, he thrived in that kind of elite company. And that's exactly what Norway boss Stale Solbakken believed he'd do when he picked him.
That's how highly he rates the Rangers new boy.
Aasgaard - who was signed by gaffer Russell Martin from Luton Town last week for £3.5 million - got his first cap for his adopted country in March away to Moldova.
The 23-year-old was in the starting line-up alongside some of Europe's top players, which included Manchester striker Haaland, Arsenal skipper Odegaard and Atletico Madrid front-man Sorloth.
But rather than be overawed by his team-mates, Aasgaard shone as he grabbed a goal and an assist in a 5-0 World Cup qualifying win.
Solbakken was delighted with his display - even though he warned Aasgaard that he'll still have to fight for his next cap.
But Rangers fans should be encouraged when the Norwegian gaffer says he looked at home beside Haaland, Odegaard and Co.
In fact, he was confident that while his big-name players were getting all the attention from the Moldovans - Asgard could make a real impact.
In an exclusive interview with Record Sport, Solbakken said: 'I thought we'd dominate the game against Moldova quite heavily - that's why I picked Thelo.
'Obviously, it was his first cap. And so far his last!
'But he did very well, he scored a goal and got an assist. We knew we'd be on top in the game and that we'd need a player who could work in the shadow of our strikers, Haaland and Sorloth.
'We knew they'd get a lot of attention but we thought Aasgaard could pop up with a goal and that's exactly what he did.
'We have a really good Norway squad right now with the likes of Haaland, Odegaard, Sorloth and others. But Thelo looked comfortable in that company.
'He looked very natural training alongside those players in camp and that's why I selected him. He was able to cope with the quality.'
Solbakken upset Luton Town fans recently when he spoke openly about why Aasgaard had to be playing at a higher level.
They were angry with his comments and blamed him for the player's summer departure to Rangers.
The Norway boss felt - after the Hatters' relegation from the Championship - that plying his trade in League One would do his international prospects considerable harm.
That's why Solbakken is as pleased as anyone that he's made the move to Ibrox.
He's convinced that joining Martin's squad is a big step up from Kenilworth Road - and will aid Aasgaard's progress as a player.
There's also the added bonus of European football.
The former Liverpool kid's first competitive game for Gers will be against Panathinaikos in a Champions League qualifier on July 22.
Solbakken said: 'I think going to Rangers is a good move for him.
'He will play in a team that will probably dominate 90 percent of the games in Scotland. And he'll also get some European football as well which is nice for him.
'It's a good step from where he's been and what he has done at club level so far.
'It will be good for Thelo's improvement and development as a player.
'I said I felt he had to play at a higher level than League One in England and I think Rangers is a good step for him.
'He might even get the chance to play in the Champions League which would be fantastic for him.
'But even just to play in Europe generally will be good for him.'
Rangers supporters are excited about the acquisition of the English-born playmaker.
Aasgaard was one of Martin and sporting director Kevin Thelwell's top targets during this summer recruitment drive at Ibrox. And Solbakken is convinced he can be a game changer for Gers in the Scottish Premiership.
He hailed Aasgaard's ability to make a difference in key attacking areas for Martin's new-look side - something Gers have lacked in recent years against packed Scottish defences.
He also praised his awareness and technique - and told Rangers fans that he's capable of influencing games with goals and assists.
Solbakken said: 'Thelo's main qualities are that he's a points player. What I mean by that is, he can get you points.
'Because he's always capable of scoring a goal or being in the right position in the final third of the pitch.
'He has a real eye for a goal and the final pass.
'Thelo is so safe with the ball - he doesn't do stupid things with it when he's in possession.
'He's calm on the ball and one of his big assets is his ability to assist.
'He's a point-scoring midfielder who is really good at finding the right areas on the pitch where he can hurt opponents.'
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