How Derek McInnes' Rangers failure unlocked 'impossible' Thelo Aasgaard transfer

Derek McInnes may have played a role in Thelo Aasgaard's exit from Rangers.

The Norway international has joined Anderlecht on loan from the Gers, with the deal including an option to buy.

While the Scottish manager seemed to be a big fan of the midfielder after his early return in pre-season, he became expendable in the end.

Aasgaard's move to Anderlecht wouldn't have been possible had it not been for McInnes' failure at Ibrox.

While the ex-Hearts boss is finally starting to find some momentum at the Glaswegian outfit, the start of his tenure was anything but comfortable.

The Govan side were first knocked out of the Europa League and then the Conference League, opening the door for the 24-year-old attacker's exit.

How Anderlecht convinced Thelo Aasgaard to leave Rangers

Instead of sending Aasgaard on loan to Anderlecht, the Gers should've looked for a permanent sale.

There's no guarantee the Jupiler Pro League club will trigger the option to buy the Norwegian ace, but Antoine Sibierski may reassure some about that prospect.

Anderlecht's sporting director revealed that only after Jagiellonia Bialystok and Jablonec beat the Light Blues were they able to make a move for Aasgaard.

It looks like the Belgian side presented the former Luton Town ace with a convincing project to leave Ibrox.

Speaking to Nieuwsblad on 10 September, Sibierski said, As long as Rangers were in contention for a European group stage, a transfer was impossible, but when they didn't survive the Conference League qualifiers either, the door opened.

"Aasgaard still had three years left on his contract there, but I explained to him where he could play, who his competitors were, and what the objectives are."

How Derek McInnes has replaced Thelo Aasgaard at Ibrox

Aasgaard was the only natural number 10 at McInnes' disposal at Rangers, with the rest of the midfielders more defensive-minded.

The Norway international's exit certainly came as a surprise, but the Gers have added creativity to their squad.

Minsu Kim has been deployed behind the striker and the South Korean ace has been a difference-maker for the Light Blues.

Badredine Bouanani can also feature in a central role, but it looks like his best position will be on the right-wing, swinging dangerous crosses into the box.

Aasgaard had a mixed reputation at Ibrox after his debut campaign and there weren't many fans who were bothered much about his exit.