Keith Jackson suggests Van Bronckhorst should secure deals for Rangers duo
Keith Jackson has suggested that Giovanni van Bronckhorst must secure deals for Rangers duo – Ryan Kent and Calvin Bassey – immediately.
Both the players were simply “unplayable” in the Scottish Cup final against Hearts, and it would be a catastrophe for the club to lose both of them.
Kent has only a year left on his deal, while Bassey’s impressive form has sparked interest among several European clubs.
Jackson, The Daily Record columnist, has suggested that Bassey’s performances in the two finals were of “stupendously high standard”, and it will be a blow if both Bassey and Connor Goldson were allowed to leave this summer.
“Rangers won this game almost entirely down the left flank where Calvin Bassey and Ryan Kent took it in turns to strike terror into the Tynecastle side,” wrote Jackson, for The Daily Record.
“The pair of them were close to being unplayable as they combined to unleash 120 minutes of mayhem on Craig Gordon’s defence and it is up to Van Bronckhorst now to ensure that they are still around when the next campaign begins.
“With Joe Aribo, Alfredo Morelos and Leon Balogun all sitting in the same contractual boat, these difficult conversations need to take place before Van Bronckhorst heads to the beach for some well earned R&R. If not he’ll spend his time off fretting anxiously over what he’s coming back to.
“And that includes nailing down Bassey, this mountain of a young man who has emerged from the periphery of Gerrard’s squad to become a colossus of Van Bronckhorst’s starting XI.
“Bassey’s performances in back-to-back cup finals were of such a stupendously high standard that they almost defied belief and the concern for Van Bronckhorst is that the 22-year-old’s superhuman contribution will not have gone unnoticed elsewhere, where the funny money resides.
“It’s hard to imagine how Van Bronckhorst could afford to even think about sanctioning his sale but if a whopping offer was to thump down on Ross Wilson’s desk this summer, will the manager be in any position to veto it?”
No way
Jackson is absolutely spot on here.
The summer transfer window is absolutely massive for the club as the focus should be on bolstering the squad that is capable of winning the league title next season.
With so many players nearing the end of their contracts, it is highly likely that some of the players will be allowed to move on.
However, keeping Bassey and Kent is absolutely vital.
Kent has been a key player for the club, and although there are areas where he needs to improve, Van Bronckhorst probably understands that he won’t get a like-for-like replacement for him straightaway.
Bassey has been a revelation this season. The 22-year-old can grow into a top-quality player and Rangers is the perfect club for him to grow further.
His performance in the Europa League final was outstanding, and the Nigerian defender can take his game to a new height in years to come. The Bears must capitalise on his potential for at least one or two seasons, before selling him for a high transfer fee.
In other Rangers news, the German media has reacted to the Europa League final scenes, branding them a “scandal”.