Former Celtic star Charlie Nicholas believes Calvin Bassey is the jewel in the crown at Rangers and his exit will spark a significant Ibrox rebuild.

The versatile defender added to his burgeoning reputation with heroics efforts against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hearts to close out the season.

Manager Gio van Bronckhorst faces some big decisions with Champions League football not guaranteed and key defender Connor Goldson facing an increasingly uncertain future.

And Nicholas is convinced Rangers can land top money for a player who is on the radar of former boss Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.

Speaking to the Express, he said: "I can see Rangers getting £25 million if they sell Calvin Bassey to fund their summer rebuild.

"You can see why Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa are so keen to get him but there will be a string of top clubs looking at him.

"I think the minimum value would be in the £25 million bracket.

"The reason why I put him in that range is because he is already a better player than Tyrone Mings.

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"He was one that was built up and has ended up becoming an England international but I look at Bassey and I think there is more.

"I also think he has more potential to get even better.

"I have heard people in recent weeks say how good he has been but he has been like that for the last four or five months.

"For me, he has been the best young player in Scotland.

"He can play left-back and wing-back but in my opinion I think he will be a real asset as a left-sided central defender.

"Bassey was brilliant in the Europa League final and he was man of the match again in the Scottish Cup final.

"The problem Rangers had in the past was that they were unable to sell because Steven Gerrard was trying to build.

"They had big bids from Lille for Alfredo Morelos and from Leeds United for Ryan Kent and I am amazed they never took either.

Liam Boyce and Calvin Bassey

"That money could have meant a lot to the club but because Gerrard was building the board didn’t want to sell and break his rhythm or ambition.

"The board backed him but the set up now is that they probably need to sell somebody.

"Morelos’ contract is running down and his value has dropped, while Kent’s value will also have gone down but there will still be significant interest in these players. The one player that the top English and European clubs will be looking at is absolutely Bassey.

"How Leicester City didn’t see the potential in him is really surprising.

"I would be simply amazed if Bassey was still at Ibrox next season."

Nicholas sees Rangers needs for reinforcements going beyond a couple of positions and believes up to eight new arrivals may be needed.

And the 60-year-old has turned transfer guru by urging the Ibrox side's decision makers to look east in the search for untapped talent.

He added: "I think van Bronckhorst has an enormous rebuild this summer.

"I would expect Ross Wilson and his team will be on the road on that front.

"As I have said, they will definitely be looking for a goalkeeper.

"With Connor Goldson away, Bassey away. I don’t think Leon Balogun is good enough and I also think Borna Barasic will be on his way.

"They could need four or five defenders they will need to bring in because so far it is only John Souttar they have lined up to come in.

"The midfield is quite strong.

"Steven Davis is out of contract but I would give him another year.

Aaron Ramsey will move on and Amad Diallo has been a waste of time and upfront they have significant problems even when Alfredo Morelos is fit.

"I think Giovanni has the best part of eight players to find.

"I expect them to look around Europe to bring in younger players, in the Bassey-type, where they can bring them in cheaply and develop them.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if they went to look at the Serbian and Croatian markets to bring in younger players."