STAR MAN BASSEY IN PLEDGE TO RANGERS FANS OVER FUTURE

CALVIN BASSEY last night shrugged off speculation over his future and made it clear he is looking towards bigger and better things at Ibrox next term.

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is understood to be interested in taking the 22-year-old defender to Aston Villa, with other English Premier League sides keeping an eye on his situation following his fine display in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bassey (pictured) also won the man-of-the-match award in yesterday’s 2-0 win over Hearts at Hampden in the Scottish Cup final — but he insisted afterwards he is concentrating solely on progressing his career with a squad and management team he feels he owes a debt to. ‘I’m focused here,’ he stated. ‘I’m ready to come back in pre-season.

‘I’m fitter than I was last season and ready to see what next season holds for me and the boys.

‘The boys have been excellent this season. We had a huge disappointment on Wednesday, but to come back and play 120 minutes shows real character. We just showed what it means to every one of us.

‘Each and every one of my team-mates has helped me get where I am today.

‘The manager and all the backroom staff just trust me. I can’t thank them enough.’