View: Gerrard has unearthed huge gem, youngster is readymade replacement for key Rangers star
In an environment where finding value in the transfer market is more crucial than ever before, Rangers fans can be hugely satisfied with the work the club has done in the transfer market in recent times.
With the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi emerging from relative obscurity to impress, Steven Gerrard and much of the Ibrox faithful will be hoping they can repeat the trick with 20-year-old left-back Calvin Bassey.
Acquired from Leicester City in June of this year for a a compensation fee of around £230,000, the Italian-born Englishman is already proving his worth and is already proving himself as a readymade replacement for Borna Barisic.
With Bassey less than 10 appearances into his senior career, it would be unfair to put too much pressure onto him or expect such an impressive output. However, at this early stage it looks as though Rangers have found themselves another massive bargain.
Seen as a centre-back by Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City, Bassey looks natural with the ball at his feet and that has allowed him to excel as an attacking weapon from full-back.
Averaging 26 completed passes per game, as well as 0.6 crosses and 0.2 key passes (as per WhoScored), he has certainly been involved as an offensive piece in Gerrard’s current setup, but his defensive numbers are perhaps even more impressive. With 1.4 tackles, 1 interception and 0.6 clearances per game so far, he has not shied away from responsibilities at the back.
Perhaps the most pertinent part of his emergence though has been the cover he provides Gerrard with for Barisic.
A vital player in the way Rangers play, the Croatian already has a goal and two assists this term and has 24 assists in all competitions since the start of the 2018-19 season.
If Bassey is to challenge Barisic for minutes going forward, that is a real sign that he has stepped up quickly and can impress at this level.
If Rangers are to win the title this year and not come up short, depth will be key and adding to that for such a small cost can only be seen as brilliant work from the recruitment department.
In other Rangers news: Chris Sutton makes big claim about Gerrard, states whether Lennon should be sacked right now