Calvin Bassey was pleased to see Rangers lining up against Ajax in the Champions League, but insisted it was “go time” as soon as he stepped onto the pitch.
Gio van Bronckhorst’s men were given a lesson on the biggest stage as Ajax brought back bitter memories of their weekend defeat to Celtic. The Dutch champions were 3-0 up after just 33 minutes before Steven Bergwijn added a fourth with ten minutes remaining to inflict a second 4-0 defeat on the Glasgow club in a matter of days.
Bassey recalled how last year he and his Ibrox teammates talked about making the next step to the Champions League after going all the way to the Europa League final. The Nigeria international knew he was guaranteed group stage football after sealing a club record £19million move to Amsterdam from Glasgow. And he was delighted to see his old mates join them there after seeing domestic rivals PSV in the playoff round.
It was perhaps fate that paired Ajax and Rangers in the same group and as direct opponents on matchday one. But the Gods didn't smile on the Gers last Wednesday as they were blown away by Alfred Schreuder’s men.
Bassey said some fond hellos and shook hands prior to kick-off. But the old pals act was banished as soon as it was time to get down to business.
“It’s been one of my dreams, all my life, to participate in the Champions League and to be able to do that was unreal,” he said. “Obviously it was bittersweet because it was against my old team, but on a personal note it was just an amazing achievement for me and my family.
“It was amazing because last season we spoke about the Champions League. We had the Europa run so Champions League was the next step. It was nice to see both of us in the Champions League, even though I’d moved on.
“It was nice to see familiar faces but once you cross that line, it’s go time. I knew they'd to everything they could to stop me and I'd do everything I could to stop them. It's just how it is.
“It was weird when I closed my eyes. Not that I had dreams, but you imagine playing in the Champions League. When I closed my eyes I was like a kid watching myself. It was crazy to then just open my eyes and be the one actually there was a surreal moment for me.
“You always set the bar so high and you know if you don't achieve it, it's alright because it’s so high. It was honestly a blessing and just felt amazing.”
Bassey revealed the pre-match message captain Dusan Tadic gave him in the tunnel” “Dusan was saying to me “organise, organise. Organise the rest of the defence, organise the press’.
There were also no muted celebrations from Bassey as the goals went in. And he explained why he had to decline an offer to swap shirts with an unnamed former teammate after the full-time whistle.
“I love football and I love winning so I celebrate each goal,” he told the Ajax website. “To go 1-0 up in the Champions League, you’re going to be happy!
“The atmosphere is what makes football. As much as we play, the fans are the ones that make football.
“I let it all sink in that I’d made my Champions League debut. It's one I’ll never forget because it was against my old club but at the same time, it was a special night for me.
“Someone asked for my shirt but it was my first Champions League shirt so that’s going in a frame! I’m keeping this one!
“Everything; the build-up, the atmosphere and the result makes it one of the best days of my career.”
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