MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 09:04:48| >> :120:45113:45113:

New Rangers defender Calvin Bassey opens up on preferred position

New Rangers defender Calvin Bassey opens up on preferred position
© Reuters
Calvin Bassey could be deployed at centre-back with Nikola Katic injured.

Calvin Bassey is happy to let boss Steven Gerrard decide his role at Rangers.

The 20-year-old signed a four-year contract with the Light Blues from Leicester City, where he was deployed in their under-23 side as a left-back or left centre-back.

Bassey favours the former position but the pre-season injury to centre back Nikola Katic, which will keep him out for several months, has raised questions about the possible replacement for the Croatian.

Speaking in a press conference, Bassey said: "I prefer left-back but I am willing to do a job anywhere if I am honest, wherever the gaffer decides to put me I will just give 100 per cent and be the best I can.

Rangers v St Mirren – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership – Ibrox Stadium
Calvin Bassey is willing to replace injured Rangers centre back Nikola Katic (Andrew Milligan/PA)

"I don't mind playing centre-back. I hope Niko gets well soon as possible and I wish him all the best.

"It is all up to the gaffer. We are all working hard in training and whatever the team the gaffer decides to put out you have to respect it and get on with it.

"If I do play centre-half I will be happy and give my all."

Bassey's former boss at Leicester City under-23s, Steve Beaglehole, is confident that his former charge will make his mark at Ibrox,  whatever his position.

Chesterfield v Leicester City XI – Pre-Season Friendly – Proact Stadium
Calvin Bassey is set to be a success at Rangers, says Leicester City coach Steve Beaglehole (Tim Goode/PA)

He told PA News agency: "I have no doubt that he could step in and handle it, no problem at all.

"He has loads of personality, he is a strong character, he is not timid and he is a person who will relish playing for Rangers.

"He was an outstanding player for me at the under-23s last year.

"He is versatile and can play left-back like a wing back and is very exciting when he does push on and even by Premier League standards, he is very, very quick; blisteringly quick and strong.

"He can play centre-back, ideally in a back three. I was very sorry to see him leave and I know Rangers have a very talented player and is only going to get better.

"He was training with the first team at Leicester. I think he was very close to getting an opportunity. I think he would have played in the first team. I am convinced he will go on and play at the highest level."

Beaglehole also believes Bassey will handle the intense pressure of playing for Rangers in a season where the Light Blues will hope to prevent dominant Old Firm rivals Celtic winning 10 Premiership titles in a row.

Celtic v Rangers – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park
Rangers and Celtic are set to battle again for the Premiership title next season (Andrew Milligan/PA)

He said: "He doesn't get fazed. He has got good, strong mental character.

"I have been very lucky, I've been in the game a long time with these players at this age group and so I am in a reasonable position to comment and it wouldn't faze him at all.

"He wouldn't think about it, he would go out there and get on with it.

"When Sir Alex Ferguson was at Man United he would say his players have to be a special type of player but they also have to have a special type of mentality.

"They are expected to play well, they are expected to go to the 97th minute and that sort of thing and that is what  you need to be a Rangers player or Celtic player and I think he can handle it."

ID:405770: cacheID:405770:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8296:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
John Barnes pictured in June 2018
Read Next:
Scottish Premiership fixtures: Five classic opening games
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Hibernian173682129-815
9Ross County173681333-2015
10St Johnstone1742112032-1214
11Kilmarnock163581734-1714
12Hearts163491825-713


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!