Richard Foster feels Calvin Bassey came good to prove himself for Rangers in the Europa League knockout round play-offs with Borussia Dortmund, speaking on BBC Sportsound.
The Gers proved the surprise package of the round to eliminate the Bundesliga giants from the UEFA competition. BVB entered the tournament after exiting the Champions League in the group stage, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men had gone through by a single point.
Rangers more than stood up to the test of facing a German powerhouse with two brilliant performances against Borussia Dortmund. First, winning 4-2 in North Rhine-Westphalia as the side often in the ascendency. And secondly, seeing the job to a finish back at Ibrox.
Bassey started both legs of Rangers’ clashes with Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League knockout round play-off at centre-half. Van Bronckhorst has often split the 22-year-old’s minutes between central and wide-left defensive roles since taking charge in November.
The Nigerian, for instance, featured at left-back on Sunday and provided the assist for Joe Aribo’s equaliser at Dundee United. Yet Bassey stepped into a central role against Borussia Dortmund without a hitch and assisted James Tavernier’s and Rangers’ second of the night.
Foster feels Bassey ‘proved himself’ for Rangers vs Borussia Dortmund
Bassey impressed former Rangers star Foster with his Europa League efforts at centre-half against Borussia Dortmund. The youngster showed solid strength and also switched to full-back for the second-half, in which his cross found Tavernier after impressive footwork.
“It was a fantastic performance,” he said. “Rangers found another gear in the second-half, they showed great energy and desire to win the game. Calvin Bassey has proved himself in this match, with his quality and composure for the goal.”
Bassey had one sour moment while occupying a central role in Rangers’ defence at home to BVB on Thursday. Donyell Malen caught him on his heels to flick Jude Bellingham’s pass into the net and put BVB ahead. But Bassey was not the only static Gers defender, either.
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