Former Rangers boss backs Super Eagles hopeful to flourish if he joins West Ham United

Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish is backing Super Eagles hopeful Calvin Bassey to flourish should he move to the Premier League amid speculation linking him with a summer transfer to West Ham United.

McLeish pinpointed three attributes that can make the talented defender thrive in the English top-flight, noting that the 22-year-old has the speed, power and mindset.

The 2021 Super Eagles invitee has won the Rangers fans over after impressing week in, week out, despite playing mostly in his least preferred position in defence - the center back role.

Bassey has appeared in 29 matches across all competitions this season, helping Rangers post an impressive sixteen clean sheets in those games.

"I think there’s still more to come from him. Getting a regular game for Rangers would help, as long as he eliminates the mistakes," McLeish said to Football Insider.

"He is good going forward but his first job is defending. You have to not give the opposition one sniff of a chance.

"If he gets that right, he’s definitely got the power, the speed and probably the mindset to play in England. English teams do like tall, strong players."

Bassey had previously been linked with a move to West Ham when he was still at Leicester City in 2020 but Rangers eventually won the race for his signature.