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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Calvin Bassey gracious in victory as Ajax defender rejects Rangers message question

Calvin Bassey gracious in victory as Ajax defender rejects Rangers message question

CALVIN BASSEY admitted he was “buzzing” after Ajax put Rangers to the sword in their Champions League group stage opener in Amsterdam. 

The Dutch giants were a class above their Scottish opponents and goals from Edson Alvarez, Mohammed Kudus and a double from Steven Berghuis proved the huge gap on the one-sided scoresheet. 

Bassey was never troubled in defence against his old team, but despite the victory, the Nigerian international admitted mixed feelings upon the full-time whistle. 

The 22-year-old moved to Ajax in the summer from Rangers for a fee of £23million and after making the big-money transfer, he was up against his old teammates at the Johan Cruyff Arena. 

Bassey explained: “Obviously I’m buzzing. I don’t even know. I can’t explain it. It is a weird feeling. 

“When I am not playing against the boys I wish them the best. I am always rooting for them to win. 

“To be on the pitch against them you just have to switch that focus, now I am here I have to give 100 per cent. We are just pleased to get the win.  

“I wouldn’t say it was easy for us. I think we executed what the manager wanted from us. 

“There is still work that can be done for us to get better. We are pleased with the performance and we just need to keep getting better.” 

Bassey visited his teammates ahead of their Champions League qualifier against PSV Eindhoven, but he admitted his celebrations would be muted after getting one over on his former team. 

Asked on BT Sport whether he would message his old teammates, he responded: “I don’t think I will be messaging them like that to be honest. I will give them a day. 

“It just depends how they are. I haven’t seen them for a while.” 

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