Derek McInnes and Co’s premature exit from European competitions earlier this season remains a sore point for Rangers supporters, leaving the Ibrox club with no choice but to pour every ounce of focus into domestic silverware.

The Light Blues saw their continental ambitions unravel in August during the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round. A painful 2-1 defeat away in Poland, followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw at Ibrox, saw Jagiellonia Bialystok eliminate Rangers 3-2 on aggregate, before a subsequent Conference League setback against Jablonec ended European nights at Ibrox altogether.

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Rangers loanee Thelo Aasgaard expected to start in Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Anderlecht tonight

Aasgaard started both legs for Rangers against the Polish outfit in August before completing a September deadline-day loan move to Brussels, featuring a £5.5million option to buy.

Despite the anticipation, question marks remain over Aasgaard‘s initial impact in Belgium. Anderlecht have suffered defeats in all three matches where the Norway international has been named in the starting lineup, including both of their Europa League group fixtures so far.

Tonight’s clash, which kicks off at 20:00 BST, offers the 24-year-old midfielder a timely opportunity to silence those early critics and ignite his loan spell. It is also a shot for him to become an instant hero back at Ibrox.

Ahead of the clash in Poland, Belgian newspaper La DH Les Sports+ expects Aasgaard to start in central midfield for Vitor Bruno’s side. He is tipped to play alongside defensive midfielder Marco Kana in what appears to be a 4-2-2-2 diamond setup for the Belgian club.

Anderlecht‘s official match preview also highlighted the subplot, pointing out: “A second European encounter involving Thelo Aasgaard. Jagiellonia began their Europa League campaign in the third qualifying round, where they eliminated Rangers, Thelo Aasgaard’s former club.”

The Polish underdogs are acutely aware of the danger the Rangers loanee poses, regardless of his recent form in Brussels. Speaking to the press ahead of kick-off, Jagiellonia midfielder Anders Klynge singled out Aasgaard as a key figure his side must neutralise once again.

Klynge told reporters via Voetbal Primeur: “Do you know who I remember: Thelo Aasgaard. In the qualifying rounds, we knocked out Rangers. He was one of the guys we focused heavily on to stop back then. We have to do that again now.”

If Aasgaard can pull the strings in Anderlecht’s midfield and spearhead a victory in Bialystok, he will not only jumpstart his career in Belgium but also hand Rangers supporters a highly satisfying sense of closure.