As Rangers escaped Leipzig with their Europa League lives intact, Calvin Bassey once again was asked to stand up and be counted for the club.
There is no greater symbol of the now Nigerian international’s progress at Rangers than how much Gers fans had no doubt he would on a tough night in Germany.
It has been in the Europa League, so often thrust into a central defensive role since van Bronckhorst came into the club due to injury, that Calvin Bassey has had this coming of age.
Signed when his contract expired at Leicester City last season, over two campaigns the 22-year-old has not only emerged as a trustworthy option, but a major Ibrox asset.
Contracted until 2024, Rangers would do well to extend that deal imminently and protect their position when it comes to one of the side’s brightest young players.
Versatile, athletic and capable, Calvin Bassey’s focus was summed up by hunting down Tom Rogic in the Scottish Cup semi and once again by keeping his discipline in the match with RB Leipzig.
Against Leipzig, these stats outline just how concentrated the youngster was throughout the match, against a team that cost millions to assemble and widely regarded as amongst Europe’s best.
Issues associated with a lack of concentration are being ironed out and the left-back-turned-centre-back is fast becoming an important player for the team.
Rangers also have a useful weapon in his ability at left-back – we’ve seen Calvin Bassey deliver several important balls into the box including for James Tavernier v Dortmund.
His powerful running on the ball and crossing ability can be unstoppable at times and whilst this area still needs sharpened it’s something that makes Calvin Bassey unique.
As matches wear on, with the defender conserving energy at centre-back, Rangers can also make a defensive substitution and move him out left.
Calvin Bassey is such a useful footballer for Rangers but his progress this season is summing up just how valuable he could be to the Ibrox side too.