Former Rangers striker Mark Hateley has said many clubs would be interested in Calvin Bassey, following his impressive showing for the Scottish side in the Europa League final.
Rangers lost 5-4 to German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties after 120 minutes of football ended in a 1-1.
Joe Aribo scored the first goal in the 57th minute before Rafael Borre drew Frankfurt level on 69 minutes.
Borre also scored the winning penalty in the shootout for Frankfurt after former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey missed his spot kick.
Bassey was outstanding for Rangers which saw him get nominated for Europa League Player of the Week.
Also Read: Europa League Final: ‘Bassey Was My Man Of The Match‘ —Omeruo
And despite the painful defeat Hateley, speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound, was full of praise for Bassey.
“Bassey has come so far,so quickly,” Hateley, who won six Scottish League titles with Rangers said.
“He’s established himself as a centre half, wing back, full back.
“He’s put himself in a place right now where I imagine there are many clubs looking at him.
“He’s still only 22 years old, he has been outstanding,” Hateley, 60, said.
Next up for Bassey and his Rangers teammates is the Scottish Cup final against Hearts on Saturday May 21 at Hampden Park.
Bassey joined Leicester City at the age of fifteen after a successful trial and progressed through the club’s youth ranks, with regular appearances for the clubs’ under-18 and under-23 sides.
On 6 June 2020, Bassey signed a pre-contract with Rangers, with him due to officially join the club with the opening of the summer transfer window in July.
He made his professional debut for Rangers On 9 August 2020, in a Scottish Premiership match versus St Mirren as a substitute in a 3–0 win.
Born in Italy, Bassey was eligible to play for Italy, Nigeria or England at international level.
In 2021, Bassey committed his international future to Nigeria when he accepted a call up for their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. He debuted with Nigeria in a 0–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification tie with Ghana on 25 March 2022.
2 Comments
Bassey is a wonderful player. Nigeria was extremely lucky to have his commitments. He is young and strong. He is the future of Nigeria football.
If we have not cap him before now, we may not be able to cap him again. England will snap him from our grip.