Calvin Bassey has admitted he had to go back to basics and volunteered for extra training shifts after his dismal start at Ajax this season following his £19 million move from Rangers.

The former Ibrox defender was heavily criticised in the Netherlands after an uncertain beginning to his time at the Amsterdam club after his big-money summer move from Glasgow and found himself dumped to the bench.

But he's been widely praised recently after a string of impressive performances for Ajax and he's revealed he had to have a rethink midway through the season.

Bassey said: "Sometimes you have to sit back down and learn again.
"I had to start doing extra work on the training pitch. I decided to start again.

"While I was on the subs' bench, I studied the way the defenders played. I spent a lot of time watching how Jurrien Timber and Edson Alvarez positioned themselves when they were in my position in defence.

"Don't get me wrong, I was frustrated when I wasn't playing. But I knew it was not all about me, it was about the team and winning games. It actually helped to be on the bench for a while.

"For me, it is a process and a development curve. I know I can improve a lot here.

"The manager told me to be ready when I am needed next and I was.

"Ajax have taught me a lot about the game. That is also the reason why I chose this club. It's one of the best places to develop as a player."

Ajax boss John Heitinga has been delighted with Bassey's progress after he was named as Man of the Match against NEC.

He said: "Calvin is very eager to learn. “His attitude is commendable and he wants to improve every day."

Meanwhile, Todd Cantwell looks forward to the next test in his Rangers career knowing the Light Blues will be well backed at Easter Road on Wednesday night.

The 25-year-old former Norwich midfielder helped the Gers to a 3-1 cinch Premiership win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday as Michael Beale’s side responded positively to last week’s disappointing ViaPlay Cup final defeat to Old Firm rivals Celtic at Hampden Park.

The Light Blues led at the interval against Killie through goals from defender Connor Goldson, attacker Fashion Sakala and a James Tavernier penalty.

However, second-bottom Killie, who have not won away from home in the league this season, came back after the break and defender Jeriel Dorsett headed in what turned out to be a consolation goal.

Next up is Hibernian and Cantwell, who signed for the Ibrox club in January, knows a big Gers support will be in Leith.

The midfielder told RangersTV: “It has been brilliant, and it goes without saying, the away support is incredible.

“I am just looking forward to every game at the moment, playing football again and having a smile on my face is exactly what I came here for.

“It had been a long while where I hadn’t had a consistent run of games, but I am starting to feel match-fit again, which is really good.

“I am starting to feel I have a better understanding with the players which is something that is only going to get better and, personally, I feel like I am moving in the right direction.”