Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder defended £19 million former Rangers stopper Calvin Bassey after his nightmare debut, however admitted he deserved his pink card.
The Nigerian worldwide defender was despatched off simply 14 minutes after approaching as a sub in big-spending Ajax's shock 5-3 defeat to PSV Eindhoven within the conventional Dutch season curtain-raiser - the Johan Cruyff Protect. Bassey solely obtained permission to play late on after work allow issues had beforehand held up his debut.
However Schreuder has backed Bassey to get better from his troubled begin within the Netherlands. He stated: "Ultimately, I feel the pink card was decisive. You felt we might go on and win it, however it's at all times harder with one much less man I seemed on the incident after the sport and he actually did not do it intentionally, however he is gone in a bit too wild. I admit a pink card might have been given and I can perceive why they gave it."
The previous Ibrox favorite endured a torrid quarter-of-an hour after coming off the bench. Ajax had led the sport 1-0 because of Steven Bergwijn's opener earlier than PSV turned the sport on it is head earlier than half-time because of a Guus Until double.. The hosts equalised by Antony and it was 2-2 when Bassey was launched.
Nonetheless, Cody Gakpo then fired Ruud Van Nistelrooy's males again in entrance earlier than Until bagged his hattrick. Mohammad Kudus pulled one again earlier than Bassey noticed pink. In stoppage time, one-time Rangers switch goal Xavi Simons added a fifth to finish any Ajax hopes of a dramatic comeback.
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