Nigeria’s fluid defender Calvin Bassey said he got carried away and celebrated Ajax goals against former team Rangers because of his state of mind at playing his maiden EUFA Champions League.
He said: “I was over the moon. It’s not every day you play your first Champions League and win. I was in the mood for celebration because it means a lot to me. I can’t keep that kind of happiness to myself.”
The former Ibrox star did enjoy seeing his old mates in Amsterdam but was ruthless as soon as he stepped on the pitch
He said he 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 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 celebrated in wild ecstasy 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.
There is an unwritten rule that players don’t celebrate goals against their immediate former teams. Bassey broke the rule out of pure joy.
He explained further: “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.
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.”
DREAMS DIE HARD;
Ironically, 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 as they were blown away by Alfred Schreuder’s men.
Bassey said some fond hellos and shook hands before kick-off. But the old pal’s 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. “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. Even though I’d moved on, it was nice to see both of us in the Champions League.
“It was nice to see familiar faces but once you cross that line, it’s game time. I knew they’d do 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 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.”
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