Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Former Rangers star Calvin Bassey tops Europa League billing as incredible Ajax stat emerges

Calvin Bassey was the standout player in one category in last week's Europa League knockout ties.

The former Rangers star - sold to Eredivisie side Ajax for a huge fee in the summer - has been a key member of the side playing 29 games in all competitions to date with one goal and five assists to his name.

He played every single minute of Ajax's Champions League campaign that included coming up against the Light Blues as he made an earlier than expected Ibrox homecoming. Then boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst lost out twice to the Dutch giants - who claimed third spot in the section behind Liverpool and Napoli to drop into UEFA's second tier competition.

READ MORE: Todd Cantwell shares Nicolas Raskin Rangers six word warning to rivals after January transfers

Bassey was once again reunited with a familiar face in the shape of Celtic star Josip Juranovic as he side square off with Bundesliga high-flyers Union Berlin in the first knockout stage. The two sides played out a goalless draw in Amsterdam last week.

The former Rangers man was heavily involved and was the top player for pass completions across all the ties last midweek. The official UEFA Europa League account tweeted: "No player completed more passes in the first legs than Ajax's Calvin Bassey [100]."

The duo face off one again this Thursday in the second leg as they bid to reach the next stage and keep the dream of landing a European trophy this campaign alive.

Bassey and Ajax currently sit second in the domestic league - three points behind leaders Feyenoord after 22 games. They also have a KNVB Cup quarter-final tie on the horizon with a trip to De Graafschap at the start of March.

READ MORE:

- Graeme Souness in bold England claim as Rangers hero says Spurs star is the 'only world class' player

- Kenny Miller predicts Rangers squad overhaul as he gives verdict amid Michael Beale 'trimming' claim

- Former Rangers star Josh Windass in eight word response to delightful lob as striker's celebration rinsed

- Michael Beale handed Rangers defence for Partick Thistle decision as he would have been 'vilified'

- Rangers penalty call 'crazy' verdict as pundits make 'that's why VAR is there' claim

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.