Nigeria international, Calvin Bassey, in an interview with Dutch publication, Het Parool, says Ajax Amsterdam’s victory over Glasgow Rangers on match-day one of the UEFA Champions League was ‘bitter-sweet.”
The Dutch champions last week convincingly defeated Bassey’s old teammates 4-0 in what was the Nigerian’s first Champions League appearance.
The versatile defender was impressive during the encounter and also provided the assist for the third goal to cap what was a brilliant Champions League debut.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s fixture against Liverpool at Anfield, the former Rangers player admitted it was difficult putting his friends to the sword.
“I consider the Rangers FC players to be my friends,” Bassey told Het Parool, via Ajax Fanatics.
“I played with them for two years, shared joys and sorrows. And it is not easy to hurt friends so much. But for me personally, and my family, it was a beautiful evening.”
The 22-year-old defender became Nigeria’s most expensive defender in history when he joined Ajax for £19m following an impressive 2021/22 season with the Scottish giants.
During his two-year spell with Rangers, with whom he won the Scottish Premiership in 2020-2021, the Scottish Cup the following season and reached the final of the Europa League, Bassey made an astonishing 65 appearances.
It was his display with Rangers last season that earned him a move to Ajax.
Contact: theeditor[at]punchng.com
