McLeish: Rangers have already landed Calvin Bassey’s replacement as ‘real deal’ is done
Ben Davies will serve as Calvin Bassey’s direct replacement at Rangers.
That’s according to former Gers boss Alex McLeish, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about his former side’s efforts to replace the recently-departed star.
On Wednesday (20 July), Rangers confirmed that Bassey, 22, has left the club to join Dutch champions Ajax.
He leaves Ibrox for a club record fee of around £20million with add-ons.
Rangers announced the signing of Ben Davies from Liverpool on the same day Bassey left (19 July).
McLeish insists it was imperative to replace Bassey immediately.
“It’s a good bit of business,” McLeish told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild
“Calvin evolved really well. In the first half of the season you are thinking ‘he’s not a bad player but is he the real deal?’.
“Then all of sudden he really grew into himself. He is not only good at charging up field but he’s a very good defender also.
“He’s a big, strong fella in terms of winning challenges. It’s a great bit of business. As I kept saying over the last year or two, Rangers and Celtic just don’t have the same amount of money as clubs from the richest countries in the world.
“It is good business but you have to be ready to bring someone else into the fold who is as good or has the potential to come in and be as good as the player you have lost.”
Bassey made 65 appearances for the Gers after joining the club from Leicester in the summer of 2020.
50 of his total outings came in the 2021-22 season.
In other news, an ex-Fifa official has suggested the SFA told to make key behind-the-scenes hire amid official Celtic and Rangers claim.