Super Eagles invitee Calvin Bassey was on media duties on Wednesday, a strong hint that he will be involved in some capacity when Glasgow Rangers take on 1991 European champions Red Star Belgrade in a Europa League round of 16 first leg tie at Ibrox Stadium on Thursday night.
Bassey and his teammates including Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo will be in confident mood ahead of the meeting with the Serbian giants having eliminated one of the favorites for the Europa League, Borussia Dortmund in the last round.
The Light Blues are unbeaten at home in three matches against Red Star Belgrade, winning twice and drawing the other.
Bassey has forced his way into the starting lineup of Rangers, making 32 starts in all competitions so far this season, including six in European competition.
At the pre-match press conference, the Super Eagles hopeful answered questions on the Rangers squad, offered his thoughts on Red Star Belgrade, spoke about his form and being able to play center-back and left-back.
Read every word below :
Calvin is there a real belief both personally and within the squad that if you match the levels which you put in against Borussia Dortmund that you are a match for anyone in this competition?
“100 percent. I think we’ve got a good bunch of boys, very enthusiastic , everybody’s full of energy and always wants to do well so I don’t see why we should look at ourselves below anyone else.
“I think if we perform the same way we did against Dortmund we have a real chance. Obviously we know we are coming up against a strong opponent,a good team, but you know we’re a good team as well and we’re just going to go out there and try, give our best and hopefully come away with a good result to take to Belgrade.
Hi Calvin. As fans we are really enjoying watching you play and you’re fast becoming a real fans favorite and you’re doing really well at left-back . I wondered how much you’re enjoying being in the team and how much you’re enjoying life at Rangers and your form at the minute and the challenges that lie ahead?
“Obviously I’m just blessed, thankful to the boss and his staff for trusting in me and whether that be center-back, left-back.
“I just go out there every day, every training session, just try to give my best and obviously it’s nice to have the support from the fans behind me.
“Obviously every day I just try to get better and just try to keep improving and I still think there’s a lot of things to I could work on, and I can improve on which will help me in the long run.”
“100 percent. I think we’ve got a good bunch of boys, very enthusiastic , everybody’s full of energy and always wants to do well so I don’t see why we should look at ourselves below anyone else.
“I think if we perform the same way we did against Dortmund we have a real chance. Obviously we know we are coming up against a strong opponent,a good team, but you know we’re a good team as well and we’re just going to go out there and try, give our best and hopefully come away with a good result to take to Belgrade.
Hi Calvin. As fans we are really enjoying watching you play and you’re fast becoming a real fans favorite and you’re doing really well at left-back . I wondered how much you’re enjoying being in the team and how much you’re enjoying life at Rangers and your form at the minute and the challenges that lie ahead?
“Obviously I’m just blessed, thankful to the boss and his staff for trusting in me and whether that be center-back, left-back.
“I just go out there every day, every training session, just try to give my best and obviously it’s nice to have the support from the fans behind me.
“Obviously every day I just try to get better and just try to keep improving and I still think there’s a lot of things to I could work on, and I can improve on which will help me in the long run.”
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