Calvin Bassey on Ajax 'frustration' as ex Rangers defender names hidden gamechanger that saw him silence doubters

Ajax defender Calvin Bassey has admitted he was left with "frustration" after being dropped by new boss John Heitinga - but reckons it could have helped him long term.

Heitinga initially used the 23-year-old sparingly since after taking charge in Amsterdam following the sacking of Alfred Schreuder amid rising criticism for Bassey's performances following his bumper £19m move from Rangers. The Nigeria international had failed to replicated the form that saw him play a key role in helping the Ibrox side reach the Europa League final last term.

However, his absence from the starting line-up has helped Bassey improve his game, and he earned rave reviews for his solid performance in the 1-0 win over NEC Nijmegen after being recalled to the XI. The centre-back is hoping to keep his place in Heitinga's team when they face Heerenveen on Sunday and believes he has overcome his initial teething problems in Dutch football.

Asked about being dropped to the bench, the Ajax star told De Telegraaf: " It wasn't very difficult, because I have faith in the manager. Of course there is a little bit of frustration, because nobody wants to sit on the bench.

"But sometimes you just have to sit down and learn. Then you can realise what your game is missing.

"That's what the manager also said: look at how Edson Alvarez and Jurrien Timber do when they are central on the left. How do they build up from behind? What position do they take in the rest of the defence?

"From the side you just have a different perspective. Everyone has different ways to learn and this has helped me. I have to keep working hard and hopefully it will pay off.

"There are still ten Eredivisie matches to go and I want to make a major contribution. It's about the team and