Former Rangers star Calvin Bassey has been called Ajax's "best defender" by new manager John Heitinga.

The Nigerian international had been on the end of some criticism after a poor run of results led to previous boss Alfred Schreuder being sacked.

However, the new man in the Amsterdam ArenA dugout seems impressed by the 23-year-old.

Bassey played the final 15 minutes of Ajax's game against FC Twente as they won 1-0 to reach the KNVB quarter-finals.

And Heitinga was full of praise for the defender at full-time.

He said: "We were pushed backwards and I noticed that we needed a bit more body at the back. Firmness is very important to me, but that doesn't mean we play in the same composition all season. Calvin came in and was perhaps our best defender.”

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Meanwhile, Barry Ferguson has tipped Steven Gerrard for the Leeds United job.

The Premier League club are on the look out for a new manager after sacking Jesse Marsch at the start of this week.

A poor string of results left the Lilywhites only above the drop zone on goal difference.

A whole host of gaffers, both in work currently and those out of the game, have been linked with the vacant post.

Ange Postecoglou at Celtic is said to be on the Leeds hierarchy's shortlist, but it seems unlikely the Australian would depart Glasgow at this time.

Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola and Feyenoord's Arne Slot emerged as favourites too.

Carlos Corberan was another frontrunner, but in the end he penned a new deal at West Brom.

Former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo is believed to have rejected an approach from Leeds too.

Gerrard has been out of work since he was sacked by Aston Villa in October last year.

nd Ferguson reckons the opening at Leeds would be a great fit for the Liverpool legend, especially because of Gary McAllister's links to the Elland Road club.

He told Go Radio's Football Show: "I have no doubt he is a very good manager, Steven Gerrard. He's just had a tough time and it just never worked out in the end at Aston Villa. I hope he gets another opportunity.

"It was Mark (Guidi) who called it first about Steven Gerrard for Leeds because of the Gary McAllister connection and I don't think it would be the worst appointment ever.

"He has a good presence about him. With him being up in Scotland listening to what he was doing inside the club the way he came across in the press I was really impressed."