'That's the Bassey I know' - Ex-Rangers coach Makaay impressed with defender's display v Vitesse 

Former Glasgow Rangers first team coach Roy Makaay has insisted that Calvin Bassey is better than many people think in the Netherlands.

Makaay worked with the Nigeria international at the Light Blues last season and saw him flourish into one of the most versatile defenders in the Scottish Premiership. 

Bassey earned a move to the current Dutch champions on the back of his impressive form for Rangers, with whom he won the Scottish Cup and reached the final of the Europa League in his last season at the club. 

The Leicester City academy product  has taken time to adapt to the demands of the Eredivisie following his transfer from Rangers and was scapegoated for Ajax's poor run of results which led to the dismissal of Alfred Schreuder.

Bassey has lost his starting place since Johnny Heitinga took over the managerial reigns at Ajax, having failed to start any of the last five league games played by the Amsterdam club. 

Makaay was impressed with Bassey's performance after he came off the bench in Ajax's 2-1 win over Vitesse on Sunday. 

"I'm a little bit biased. Of course I worked great with him last year. He was even my neighbor in Glasgow," Makaay said on ESPN via footballtransfers.com.

"I saw him shine again, that's the Bassey I know. A smiling Calvin. When he smiles, Calvin feels good.

"He came in excellently today, for what he had to do. Defensively he was better."

In 31 outings for Ajax, twenty five of which he started,  Bassey has scored one goal and provided five assists. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : ajax.nl

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com