There is no doubt that ex-Rangers star Calvin Bassey is under pressure at Ajax, but the lamentable coverage in Scotland has been trashy and unbecoming.
The former Gers star, 23, broke the club’s transfer record when he was sold to the Dutch champions in a deal which could reach a reported £23m.
But things haven’t been plane sailing for the Nigerian international centre, with Calvin Bassey earning the move after his impressive performances in the run to the Europa League Final.
The big defender joined Rangers on a minimal cross-border compensation fee from Leicester City only two seasons before the club banked the big profit on the player.
However, Ajax have suffered a decline this season with the axe already falling on Alfred Schreuder earlier in the campaign and Calvin Bassey at the centre of much criticism.
Calvin Bassey Ajax criticism coverage noticed by Rangers fans
Former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat jumped to the defence of the player after former Ajax star Andy van der Meyde let rip following the weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Feyenoord.
Van der Meyde branded the ex-Rangers star a “disgrace” via Veronica Offside, which appears to be the Dutch footballing version of TalkSPORT a la Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy.
This was after Dutch footballing icon Wesley Sneijder questioned the £19m rising to £23m transfer fee Ajax paid for Calvin Bassey.
But whilst the notoriously hardline Dutch media have found their man in Calvin Bassey, it’s led to the Scottish tabloids having a field day as their increasingly negative coverage of the player raises Rangers eyebrows.
Supporters have pointed out the coverage online and asked why several of the country’s top tabloid journalists are gleefully jumping on Calvin Bassey and joining the assassination.
It’s got plenty wondering if it’s the usual negative rhetoric around Rangers with the value of the club’s record outgoing transfer criticised by rival fans.
We’re seeing it again with Todd Cantwell, and again with the draining conversation around ticket allocations, as some publications in particular continue to show their hand.
The only thing we can recommend is that Rangers fans try their best to click on platforms which speak sensibly, or which speak in favour of them, rather than the rage-baiting nonsense that’s clogging up the media space.
Let’s hope that Calvin Bassey, a hugely positive and likeable figure during his time in Scotland, can silence the doubters at Ajax and prove his worth in the years to come.
