Rangers TV pundit: New Calvin Bassey dilemma after recent development
Alan Hutton has admitted Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces a dilemma of whether to play Calvin Bassey for Rangers against RB Leipzig after Leon Balogun’s red card against Motherwell.
The former Gers defender and Rangers TV pundit, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 33-year-old looks set to start at centre-back in Europe as he is suspended for the league game against Celtic on Sunday.
Balogun was shown a straight red card just before the half-hour mark in Saturday’s 3-1 at Motherwell.
As such, Connor Goldson, Jack Simpson and Bassey are the only senior centre-backs available against Celtic.
Hutton insisted Balogun is likely to start in Germany, with Van Bronckhorst facing a headache at left-back.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think he’ll play Balogun. He’s going to be missing for the Celtic game so you might as well use him Thursday night.
“We know defensively he’s strong, he can handle these occasions. He’ll put the red card to the back of his mind and move on. Then it depends how he (Van Bronckhorst) wants to play.
“Barisic has done really well, does he want to stick with him on Thursday? Or does he want to be a little bit more defensively solid and put Bassey there?
“With a view to the Celtic game, Bassey will move in as the second centre-half and Barisic can come back in. He’s got options but it doesn’t help Helander’s out as well.
“You want your fully fit squad there to pick from but these things happen. Ultimately, he does have options.”
Bassey started the last Europa League game against Braga at centre-back, with Barisic on the left.
The 22-year-old has primarily played as a left-back under Van Bronckhorst.
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