The swirling maelstrom of anger, frustration and panic that has engulfed Rangers since Tuesday’s defeat to Malmo would be enough to shake any football manager.

Even a man as outwardly composed and resolute as Steven Gerrard would have been left under no illusions about the severity of his position should further disaster have befallen his team tonight at Ibrox.

While admitting laughter and dressing room japes had been in short supply the 40-year-old stressed during his press conference there has been no panic within the confines of the dressing room.

Making eight changes for tonight’s match might signal he was keen to make a point about performances to established stars but for more keen observers it marks a show of faith in his squad and rotation philosophy.

And wasn't he repaid in spades, none more so than young Calvin Bassey.

READ MORE: Rangers 5-0 Dunfermline: Steven Gerrard's side bounce back from Euro blow with emphatic Ibrox win

The English full-back replaced Borna Barisic who, after a Euros with Croatia that was marred by injury, has looked - perhaps understandably - off the pace so far.

As the Croat sat this one out, the 21-year-old made the most of his opportunity to shine.

Blessed with the physical attributes of a centre-back, Bassey is also agile, quick and runs with the unyielding momentum of a freight train at full pelt.

The only question mark over his impressive skillset has long focused on his final ball, especially in comparison with Barisic, whose elegance and consistency in this area marks him out as a special talent.

Tonight, amid a superb team performance that saw Rangers easily dispatch Dunfermline 5-0, Bassey began to answer some of those questions with a man of the match showing and two assists.

It took just two minutes for him to make a first decisive foray down the left flank. He drove into the box before calmly cutting a low cross into the path of the onrushing John Lundstram to crash into the roof of the net.

It was clever play but his second assist was something else. A thing of footballing beauty.

Slipped through deftly by Joe Aribo, the youngster scampered towards the byline before curling in a deep out-swinging cross that landed so accurately on Ianis Hagi’s head, the Romanian barely had to flex his neck muscles to connect.

It was reminiscent of Barisic at his best but perhaps, the Ibrox first choice will have been watching with less admiration or pride and more panic.

Steven Gerrard has often talked about being hungry as a youngster to go and usurp senior players when he was breaking through at Liverpool.

When surveying the academy in 2019, less than a year after arriving, the Scouser talked about what he wanted to see.

“I’m always saying to Graeme Murty and the academy staff that talent will only get you so far,” he said.

“I need them to have the body. I need them to live right, on and off the pitch, and I need them to be mentally strong to cope with the demands of playing at first-team level. “They have to be good enough to move someone out the way. Is he capable and mentally strong enough to come and move a Scott Arfield or a Connor Goldson? Have they got that in their locker? That’s what I’m looking for.”

READ MORE: Rangers' transfer window shouldn't be written off as a failure - Joshua Barrie

Borna Barisic has got a fight on his hands on tonight’s showing, because the type of fight Bassey showed tonight perfectly matches his manager’s sentiments.

Of course, Dunfermline made no impact whatsover in the game, however you can only perform against the teams you are selected to play against.

And one thing’s for sure, after tonight's showing, the youngster is forcing his manager to make a tough decision.

Can he usurp Barisic in the fight for a first team jersey and in doing so, mark a pathway for other young players to get into the starting eleven?

It’s a nice position for Gerrard to be in, one he has long demanded.

All eyes will now be on his Alashkert teamsheet.