The Rangers fans know it. And Gio van Bronckhorst knows it.
Yesterday at Hampden Park only rubber-stamped it.
After his outstanding performance in the Scottish Cup Final win over Hearts, Calvin Bassey is going to attract BIG transfer bids this summer.
I know the supporters might not want to hear that, especially in the aftermath of lifting a trophy.
But there’s no getting away from it.
Bassey turned up at Ibrox without a first-team game to his name at Leicester City.
Under Steven Gerrard, we could see he had quality. But we only got fleeting glimpses of it.
It probably took him a while to settle and understand the club.
But in the last five months under van Bronckhorst? This kid has gone absolutely through the roof.
He’s been given an opportunity to play and he’s grabbed it with both hands.
Whether it’s been centre-back, left-back or wing-back, he’s just been sensational.
His performances in Europe have been unbelievable and that’s where you gauge the level of a player.
Think back to the Borussia Dortmund game at Ibrox.
It was Bassey crossing for James Tavernier’s winning goal.
Look at the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic where, off the back of two 120-minute games, he’s the one overlapping to set up the winning goal.
In Seville on Wednesday, in a Europa League Final, he was a colossus.
The one thing that was so impressive about that performance came about after his only mistake in the game.
Not for one second did he dwell on it. He started running as fast as he could to get back – and what a tackle he produced to clear the danger.
Bassey was at it again yesterday in the final. At 22 years old, he had another monumental game for Rangers.
When things weren’t quite happening for them, he took responsibility and stepped forward.
At one point, he got into the box, chopped on to his right foot and almost scored. Only a decent save from Hearts keeper Craig Gordon denied him.
What Rangers have on their hands with Bassey is a real, proper asset.
There’s already talk of Allan McGregor and Steven Davis finishing up and it looks like Connor Goldson could go.
Bids could also come for a Ryan Kent or a Joe Aribo.
But one thing’s for sure this summer, there WILL be bids to either accept or knock back for Calvin Bassey.
Because his performances have propelled him into a position where clubs – and I’m talking big clubs – will come in for this kid.
I’ve heard Giovanni talking about how he’d love to continue working and developing him.
But what I took from that is the manager knows there will be interest. He knows what’s coming.
Even if Rangers manage to extend Bassey’s current deal, I don’t think that’s going to deter the type of teams who are interested.
What it might do is get the club more money for him.
Because for me, Bassey is now a £20million player. That’s what clubs are going to have to pay for him.
He can play in the English Premier League, there’s no doubt about that now. No-one would disagree after watching his recent performances.
So can Rangers keep him? If they can’t, they need to make sure they get top dollar. Whether that’s £15m, £20m or £25m, they need to hold out for it –because he’s worth it.
His career is on such an upward trajectory at the moment that clubs will come calling.
If he does go, it’ll be more good business from Steven and Ross Wilson in bringing him to the club in the first place.
But also for Giovanni for seeing Bassey’s quality, giving him the chance, developing him and realising he can be used in multiple positions.
It’s going to be a really interesting summer at Ibrox, in terms of replacing guys who might go.
Two of the big ones are obviously McGregor and Davis.
Yesterday at Hampden looked like their swan song at the club.
Personally? I’d keep BOTH of them at Rangers. Obviously, it has to suit all parties. But I’d give them another year.
McGregor is still Rangers’ No.1 goalkeeper. He’s performed at a high level and played a huge part in the European journey this season. But it’s more about their influence on those around them.
Davis was superb when he came on against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville with his composure and calmness on the ball.
But it’s not just about on-field influence – it’s off the pitch as well.
I know from my own experience that you’re a long time retired in this game.
When you’re playing at the level you want to play at, for the club you want to represent, I don’t think you should give that up.
My fear would be that if they leave, it will hit them a few months down the line that they should have stayed for another year.
Inside the dressing-room, their influence is important. If they lose Goldson, McGregor and Davis in the same summer, they’re losing leaders and standard bearers.
They’ve been over course and distance and leave huge gaps to fill.
Gio deserves to enjoy the Scottish Cup win yesterday and the European run was magnificent.
But he says there will be changes next season.
And whether it’s the future of Bassey, Goldson, McGregor or Davis, there’s plenty of work to be done.
