Rangers loanee Thelo Aasgaard experienced a true nightmare evening over the weekend as Anderlecht crashed out of the Belgian Cup following a humiliating 2-1 defeat against second-division outfit Beerschot.

After producing an improved performance in Anderlecht’s 1-0 UEFA Europa League defeat against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday (15 October), Aasgaard was handed his third start for the Belgian club against Beerschot on Sunday (18 October). However, he failed to make the most of the opportunity, as Vitor Bruno’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat.

At the epicentre of the post-match fallout was the Ibrox castaway‘s role in Beerschot’s 22-minute opening goal. Aasgaard failed to deal with a routine set-piece, awkwardly allowing a corner to glance off his body and providing an involuntary assist for Anas Haj Mohamed to break the deadlock.

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Belgian legend Gert Verheyen slams Rangers loanee Thelo Aasgaard after ‘clumsy’ error

While local outlets turned their attention to Anderlecht’s wider crisis, it was 50-cap Belgian national team icon and Club Brugge legend Gert Verheyen who delivered the most scathing assessment of the 24-year-old Rangers midfielder’s display.

Speaking on Play Live (via Voetbal Krant), the 480-appearance Club Brugge veteran pulled no punches in dissecting Aasgaard’s lack of physical alertness and sharp defensive instinct when his side needed it most.

Verheyen said: “On the one hand, you could say it’s bad luck for Aasgaard, but on the other hand, he simply was not ready enough. You have to be ready to attack those kinds of balls, and in this way, it looks a bit too clumsy. You need to be more on your toes, be more alert, and take into account what might happen.”

Verheyen’s blunt critique cuts straight into the core of Aasgaard’s current struggles out on loan. While the Norway international possesses undeniable technical flair and neat touch control in tight spaces, high-profile observers in Belgium are demanding far greater physical urgency and defensive awareness.

For a player sent out on loan to gain playing time and build resilience away from Ibrox, looking “clumsy” and unprepared in pivotal cup moments is exactly what coaching staff back in Glasgow will be alarmed to hear. If things do not improve, Anderlecht may not trigger the option to buy Aasgaard from Rangers for £5.5million.

With Anderlecht now eliminated from a major domestic trophy so early in the season, pressure is mounting rapidly on the squad. Aasgaard faces a steep uphill battle to rebuild trust with supporters and analysts alike as he fights to salvage his loan spell in Brussels.