ALEBIOSU AIMS TO FOLLOW BASSEY BLUEPRINT

CALVIN BASSEY’S rapid rise from English Premier League reserve to £20million defender convinced Ryan Alebiosu that Scottish football was the place for him. The right-back now hopes his season-long loan from Arsenal to Kilmarnock can pay similar dividends. Maybe not in terms of a record transfer fee, but certainly by providing the stage to propel his career on to new heights. Alebiosu (pictured) isn’t in the mood to waste any time. An all-action debut in last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup win over Stenhousemuir saw the man-of-the-match award secured by half-time. Manager Derek McInnes then withdrew Alebiosu to preserve energy, delightedly revealing his output stats had already been more akin to a normal 90-minute performance. The 20-year-old wants to continue in a similar vein when Dundee United visit for today’s Premiership opener and ultimately become the latest London-raised hopeful to maximise a move north. In that sense, Bassey stands very much as a role model. He hadn’t played a first-team game prior to joining Rangers in 2020. Within two years, and after a stunning end to last season, the 22-year-old is settling into life as the most expensive defender in Ajax’s history. ‘I followed Calvin Bassey when he came up here from Leicester,’ admitted Alebiosu. ‘I looked at what he did and thought: “I’d like to give that a go”. He has set the benchmark for everyone now. I watched him in the Europa League final. It was a great performance and has helped get him his move. ‘I believe in this league that if I can perform, I can get myself to the next level like Calvin Bassey. He has proved what he is capable of and I see this as a great platform.’ Like Bassey, Alebiosu brings a distinctly modern approach to playing full-back. Pace, power and technique are all invested in trying to add to attack as much as defence. In terms of influences, he doesn’t look much further than England’s two best in his position. ‘Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold are players I love to watch,’ continued Alebiosu. ‘Attacking-wise, they bring a lot of entertainment and a lot of goals. ‘They are fast and aggressive and I try to base myself on them and hopefully expand on that as well. ‘I just love to keep pushing myself and hopefully the goals and assists will come this season.’ Impressing Arsenal manager — and ex-Rangers midfielder — Mikel Arteta is an obvious aim. Alebiosu, though, is well aware of how tough it is to break into one of England’s leading sides. ‘Hopefully, the next stage will be the Arsenal first team,’ he said. ‘If not, then somewhere just as good. My manager there knows about Scottish football, so that is helpful. He has spoken a lot about Scottish football to me.’ Alebiousu spent the latter part of last season on loan with Crewe, suffering relegation from England’s League One, but is far more optimistic about the collective prospects at newly-promoted Kilmarnock. With the experience of McInnes at the helm, he hopes they can repeat the feats of Steve Clarke’s tenure by aiming for the upper half of the table. ‘I think we have to push for the top six this season and there is no reason we can’t do it if we all work hard,’ argued Alebiosu. ‘If we believe and stick together then maybe we can aim even higher. ‘The club finished third a few seasons ago, so it would be great if we could try to do that again. I have a good feeling about the season ahead.’ Alebiosu is determined to play his part in helping the club climb the Premiership and intends to lay down a marker when United arrive at Rugby Park. ‘I can’t wait to go again this weekend,’ he smiled. ‘I’m buzzing and hopefully I can go for 90 minutes this time. ‘Last weekend was my first game for a while and I was just trying to get used to it again. I understand why the manager took me off at half-time as I’ve had a few niggles and he is trying to manage my minutes.’