KENNY DALGLISH believes Calvin Bassey's imminent transfer to Ajax will have left Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Rangers "heartbroken".
Ajax and Brighton were among the clubs understood to be interested in the versatile defender last night the Dutch club were set to finalise a transfer.
Bassey was absent as Rangers beat Blackpool 2-1 in a friendly at Bloomfield Road yesterday and Van Bronckhorst admitted that he was set to lose his star man.
Speaking to the Sunday Post, Dalglish commented on the transfer, saying: "It’s not for me to put a price on Bassey. But from what I have seen, there is no doubt he is a huge asset.
"The fact Calvin can operate so well in a number of positions makes him even more desirable to other clubs. He can play left-back in a four or part of a back-three.
"His physical strength, pace and delivery of a cross ball have very quickly made him pivotal to Giovanni’s plans.
"Calvin’s performances in the Europa League last season put him on the radar of other clubs. Signed for Rangers from Leicester City by Steven Gerrard for a development fee, he showed promise in his early games at Ibrox at that time.
"But he has gone on to a new level in the past six months, and Giovanni and his staff must take huge credit for that. However, with a high level of consistency of performance comes attention.
"It will be heartbreaking for Giovanni if Calvin moves on. It would almost be like the Rangers manager is being punished for improving the player! There is nothing he can do, though, as movement from club to club is part and parcel of football. It’s how Calvin got to Ibrox in the first place."
