Ex-Celtic striker names the Nigerian player Rangers could elect to send to NFF before Jan 2

Former Glasgow Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has suggested that Rangers could release Calvin Bassey to the Nigeria Football Federation before the Old Firm derby on January 2.

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations takes priority over the standout fixture of the Scottish Premiership but the Light Blues' hierarchy are aiming to strike a deal with the Nigerian Federation that would see Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun and Bassey report for international duty around one week before the Super Eagles' opener against Egypt.

FIFA's rules on the release of players for national association representative matches state that the aforementioned Nigerian players must be released to play in the AFCON on or before December 28.

In their aim to strike a deal with the Nigerian Federation, McAvennie has suggested that Rangers could elect to release Bassey while retaining the services of Aribo and Balogun until after the game with Celtic.

Balogun and Aribo are guaranteed roster spots for the AFCON but the same cannot be said for Bassey, who was named in the Nigeria squad last month only because Zaidu Sanusi was struggling to get games at Porto.

"They are asking for special treatment," McAvennie told Football Insider.

"I completely understand that. You want your best players available for the biggest games.

"I think they could strike a deal in January, maybe they will send them Bassey if they can keep Aribo and Balogun.

"That’s to take nothing away from Bassey. I just don’t think they will need him in the Old Firm. "

Bassey, also eligible for England as well as Italy, was a non-playing substitute for the Super Eagles in their World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel