THE words of comfort came from the opposition camp. Giovanni van Bronckhorst had to take every ounce of solace that he could on Wednesday night.
In the aftermath of the 4-0 defeat to Ajax that raised more questions about where Rangers are heading and the future of the man at the helm, it was left to Calvin Bassey to defend the Dutchman.
One by one, Van Bronckhorst’s players sulked their way through the UEFA mixed zone as requests for interviews were ignored or declined. They hadn’t done their talking on the park and there was clearly no desire – either from themselves or those who could have passed on such an order - to explain events or offer apologies in front of the cameras.
A few yards away in the press conference room, Bassey sat in the Ajax gear that he has slotted into seamlessly since making his record-breaking move from Glasgow to Amsterdam.
It was a night for him to be proud on a personal level as he made his Champions League bow. It was hard for him not to have a degree of sympathy for Van Bronckhorst, though, as the Rangers boss came to terms with a second 4-0 defeat in a matter of days.
Bassey said: “We did a lot of video analysis on Rangers. We knew their strengths and weaknesses. We just tried to execute the plan as best we could.
“That Rangers team has bundles of talent in it. I know that better than most. The game went well for us, we gave it 100 per cent. “He’s a great coach. Gio is very smart. He is a top manager and he is someone who put his trust in me.
“He gave me my chance and he gave me the opportunity to spread my wings and go on and play.
“He has been a very great part of my career so far and I was happy I worked with him when I did.
“I wanted to win the game on Wednesday night. I am an Ajax player and I had to give it 100 per cent. The manager knows that.”
It was always going to be a special occasion for Bassey as he lined up against the squad and the club that helped him fulfil his potential and rightly earn a life-changing and career transforming move this summer.
The defender wasn’t tested at all by a Rangers attack that was short on nous and endeavour and the margin of victory could, and should, have been even greater for the Eredivisie giants.
Rangers got what they deserved on a lacklustre, lamentable evening. So did Ajax, though, and the signs are promising for what lies ahead as Bassey continues to go from strength to strength.
Bassey said: “I have mixed emotions, of course I have. I thank God I have made my Champions League debut.
“It’s a pleasure to play for this team. But it’s bittersweet because it was against a team that gave me so much.
“I was playing against my friends. People I have been with every day for the past two and half years. So it was hard for me, but I am happy we got the win.
“I am happy to be here, I am buzzing to be here and I just want to get better.
“I’ve said before that I felt this was the best decision for me. I always felt it was right that I came to Ajax.
“The stadium was packed on Wednesday night and the atmosphere was special.
“I know people always talk about Ibrox and the atmosphere there. But this was special for us on Wednesday night. It was unbelievable to get the win.
“Of course, I have spoken to Gio, I have spoken to some of the boys. It was a hard one, but we have spoken.”
There should be a pride at Ibrox at the part that Rangers played in helping Bassey improve and progress to such a standing in the game but Wednesday night wasn’t the time for such emotions.
Van Bronckhorst is now fighting to salvage the season, and perhaps save his job, as attentions turn to a must-win Premiership clash with Aberdeen before Napoli visit next Tuesday.
Ajax return to Eredivisie duty against Heerenveen this weekend and a glamour trip to Anfield will offer Bassey another opportunity to showcase his talents on the biggest stage.
Bassey said: “I can’t answer how well I am doing. I am enjoying learning.
“We speak a lot. Me, Daley Blind and the trainer. We are always looking for the best solutions and how I can get better.
“I just want to learn, I’ve always been like that. This is the Champions League, it’s the best tournament in football.
“Against Rangers we made the right decisions and the right time and that was pleasing.
“For me though, it was never about proving a point or anything like that. It was about coming out and giving 100 per cent as I always do.
“It was just a coincidence that we were in the same group as Rangers.”
