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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Bassey filleted by Van der Vaart as he asks 'how could ex-Rangers ace lead defence?'

Former Real Madrid and Netherlands star Rafael van der Vaart reckons £19 million Ajax defender Calvin Bassey was never going to succeed at the Amsterdam club...because he had only played for Rangers.

The Nigerian international was the highest casualty of interim manager John Heitinga's first selection at the weekend following the dismissal of Alfred Schreuder last week, who had swooped for the ex-Ibrox star.

Bassey was only on the bench as Ajax romped to a 4-1 win against Excelsior, which was incredibly their first victory in the Eredivisie since October.

And 109-times capped former Spurs and Hamburg ace van der Vaart was the latest to join the growing band of criticism for Bassey, who has struggled in Dutch football since his move.

He said: "How is someone who played for Glasgow Rangers like Calvin Bassey going to be able to lead the defence at Ajax?

"Where was the Ajax youth system? Was there no one there better than him? Because if there isn't then you have a major problem.

"Sometimes it's better if you don't have any money because then you don't do crazy things. Then you wait for the right moment and occasionally take a chance.

"Instead they spent 23 million Euros on Bassey. Alfred Schreuder made too many big mistakes."

The Insider newsletter is the latest move by the team at the Rangers Review to bring content directly to you. We already have accounts on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Tik Tok and Instagram but we will also send exclusive bespoke opinion pieces every day at 5pm direct to your email. Not only will you receive this piece from one of our team of Joshua Barrie, Derek Clark or Jonny McFarlane but you will also get our list of the best content published in the last 24 hours. It's a handy way to keep abreast of what's going on amid all the noise surrounding Scotland's most successful club. You can sign up here in five seconds with just an email address.

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