Long-term gain is keyforGersevenif it’sshort-termpain

IT will feel like the end of the world for many Rangers fans if rivals Celtic capture the Holy Grail by winning 10 in a row next season.

But the reality is life for Gers will go on and if that dreaded scenario for the Ibrox legions does come to pass it’ll be about stopping 11 while celebrating the club’s 150th anniversary in 2022.

That is why the Light Blues are right to make signings such as highlyrated full-back Calvin Bassey who joined in a four-year pre-contract deal from Leicester City.

The 20-year-old became their second signing following Ianis Hagi’s permanent move as they are quickest off the mark in the recruitment race.

While the arrival of Hagi from Genk is one that generally excites fans, there is far less known about Bassey who is likely to be back-up to Borna Barisic in the left-back position.

The idea of ‘project’ signings is one met with a degree of scepticism and that famous old “you can’t win anything with kids” phrase as uttered by Alan Hansen in 1995.

Hansen’s claim about Manchester United spectacularly backfired when Alex Ferguson’s young side won the title that season.

But the likelihood is Steven Gerrard is going to need experience – and plenty of it – to mount a serious challenge to a Celtic side packed with serial winners.

That’s why some fans might be wary of an inexperienced recruit such as Bassey – and fellow Foxes starlet Dennis Gyamfi who Record Sport revealed is also on Gers’ radar.

Bassey appears to tick all the boxes but there have been plenty of players with potential, particularly during the Mark Warburton era, who didn’t work out such as Joe Dodoo, Jordan Rossiter (albeit hampered by injuries) and Matt Crooks.

But they don’t have to be mutually exclusive. It’s vital for Gerrard and sporting director Ross Wilson to find a balance.

Rangers could throw money at out-of-contract battle-hardened thirtysomethings from England in the Jermain Defoe mould in a bid to halt Celtic next season.

But, even if successful, where would it leave the club in terms of residual value of those veterans? Rangers can’t sacrifice long-term planning for the short-term aim of stopping 10 in a row.

For too long they have been left trailing by their rivals when it comes to buying young players

Light Blues are right to make signings such as 20-year-old Bassey

and selling them on for a profit. And providing he lives up to his reputation as a defensive rising star, Bassey looks to fit that bill.

But that doesn’t mean he can’t do a job next season. The kid only has to look at Jeremie Frimpong, this week voted Celtic’s Young Player of the Year after joining from Manchester City last season.

Gers transfer guru Wilson looks to have been ahead of the game in capturing Bassey and it could be a shrewd signing if he fulfils his potential.

There has to be a balance in recruitment with fans now eager to see more who will improve Gerrard’s starting XI and help them end that lengthy wait for major silverware.

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