Ronald de Boer reckons Rangers old boy Calvin Bassey is now an Ajax untouchable.
The Nigeria international has swapped Glasgow for Amsterdam after winning a £20million switch on the back of last year’s breakthrough campaign. There was a false start for Bassey, however, when he was sent-off on his Ajax debut in their 5-2 Dutch Super Cup defeat to PSV. But the 22-year-old has completed three straight 90-minute displays since returning from suspension to help his new club soar to the top of the Eredivisie table.
And now de Boer - who starred for both Gers and Wednesday’s opening Champions League opponents during a glittering playing career - reckons the former Ibrox ace is now a permanent fixture in Alfred Schreuder’s line-up. De Boer told Record Sport : “I’ve been really impressed by Bassey. He was unlucky to be sent-off in the Super Cup. He started the game well and we have already had the people who thought he was just a big lump, charging around kicking people, changing their opinions.
“He gives Ajax strength and speed and on the ball he’s alright. Of course he can still improve on that part of his game but I think he showed in the last few games that he’s undroppable. Together with Jurrien Timber, they make a great couple in defence.
“Rangers won’t be looking forward to meeting him again. I thought he was one of the best players in the Europa League final, he was unbelievable.
“He’s still very young so it’s a great signing for Ajax. He has some rough edges but Ajax is the perfect place to polish those up. He’ll come under the wing of Daley Blind and be taught the Ajax philosophy, which is to play the ball along the ground and make combinations.
“I’ve seen a lot of defenders come to this club with what we call hard-feet. But by the time they leave they have soft feet. Calvin is still young and he’s capable of learning that.”
While Gers warmed up for their trip to the Johan Cruyff Arena with an Old Firm trouncing by Celtic, Ajax maintained their 100 percent start to their domestic league campaign as they put four past Cambuur. And de Boer warned they will face a sterner test than the one PSV presented on their last visit to the Netherlands.
“Antony is gone but Ajax still have a lot of choices up front,” he said. “PSV beat Ajax in the Super Cup but I still think Ajax is the better side.
“It will be an interesting match on Wednesday. For me, it’s just great to have two of my old teams playing each other.
“For Rangers to qualify, it’s an unbelievable compliment for what Gio and his staff have done. It’s still too early to say if Rangers are back as a proper European force.
“For example, look at Ajax. They are now crawling towards the top 10 in Europe. I think Rangers is still a long way from that.
“They’re just starting. They are knocking on the door.
“For them, just qualifying is an unbelievable achievement and hopefully they can qualify for the Europa League. That should be the aim for the team.
“They just have to enjoy playing against Napoli, Ajax and Liverpool because it’s a great group. Anything more than just making it this far would be another unbelievable achievement but I think you have to be realistic.”
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