The Scottish Champions booked their place in the playoff round of Europe’s second competition, courtesy of a brace from Alfredo Morelos, but a Nigerian star also caught the eyes of Gers fans
Rangers fans have showered praises on Super Eagles invitee Calvin Bassey for his dominant performance in their Europa League encounter against Sparta Prague at the Ibrox on Thursday night.
Although Morelos was the man of the match following his brace, Bassey also put in an impressive shift in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s first match as Rangers manager.
The 21-year-old, who was snubbed by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in the last international break, did not put a foot wrong despite playing in an unfamiliar centre-back role.
With his international compatriot Leon Balogun out, Bassey formed a centre-back partnership with Connor Goldson.
The two managed to shut out Sparta’s attackers as Rangers won 2-0. Bassey’s performance caught the eye of many Rangers fans, and they took to social media to praise the young Nigerian.
Big Calvin Bassey has had a really good first half playing at centre back, the lad is an absolute unit pic.twitter.com/XuX5ILPB06
— Alex van bronckhorst (@alegil2101) November 25, 2021
Ad prolly suck Calvin Bassey’s hing btw, wit u reckon at least 8 inches
— Liam (@Liam1872L) November 25, 2021
Outstanding performance tonight @CalvinBassey pic.twitter.com/AWiuHB7iGc
— Gio Van Coplandbear™ (@Coplandbear1872) November 25, 2021
Calvin Bassey No Surrender
— EmpireFF (@EmpireFF) November 25, 2021
Calvin Bassey – exceptional tonight
Kamara – superb.
That save – wow.
— Stewart McG (@stewie_21) November 25, 2021
Well done Gio, the tweaks worked and I’m excited that that formation will see Patterson play much more. And Calvin Bassey proved me so wrong tonight, what a great performance. Getting out of the group stages 3 years in a row is not to be sniffed at. We will get even better.
— Andy McGowan (@Bobmcphail1872) November 25, 2021
A happy Calvin Bassey and with every right to be tonight. Lots of doubts around him and that side of defence in particular but he came through it very well pic.twitter.com/wHtxupV3m1
— Martyn Ramsay (@hobbes_ff) November 25, 2021
Calvin Bassey at centre back, an absolute colossus.
It might not be his natural position but one things for certain, no forward is bullying him if they try take him on in tight areas.
— Baldy Barisic (@Baldy_Barisic) November 26, 2021
Calvin Bassey vs Sparta Prague 25/11/21 pic.twitter.com/POZy9qje64
— Jamie (@Jamierfc1996) November 25, 2021
Much more like it tonight. Calvin bassey is a baller.
— Ross Cameron (@rosscameron24) November 25, 2021
A word on Calvin Bassey aswel, easy to forget the lads only 21. He has a massive future ahead of him, superb performance from him tonight
— Kevin Geddes (@Geddes1989) November 25, 2021
Calvin Bassey making more than a few eat their words tonight. Big man was outstanding. Absolutely fuck going in to a 50-50 with that weapon of mass destruction.
— Jamie Hunter (@jamiehunter72) November 25, 2021
Put respect on calvin bassey’s name that boys a player
— Greg mcarthur (@gregmcarthur55) November 25, 2021
What a result.
The Gio era is fully under way and I love it. Calvin Bassey have my kids.
— (@RakoTuke) November 25, 2021
Bassey has made 15 appearances for Rangers this season, and he would hope to back up his performance with another strong display when Rangers travel to Livingston on Sunday.
Bassey is a very replacement for Ekong, in the central defense position of the Super Eagles. Ekong is very sluggish and most times, does not do very well on one on one situation on the pitch.