Former Rangers ace Calvin Bassey on the brutal criticism he received from Ajax

The defender completed a 拢19m transfer from Ibrox in the summer following an impressive campaign for the Ibrox side that helped them reach the Europa League Cup final, where they were beaten on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt.

But his move to the Netherlands initially soured when he came under heavy criticism after a disappointing run of performances, although he has recently been lauded after improving results with Ajax.

Pacey, 23, revealed the abuse got so bad his mother had to intervene.

He said: “Every player will say that criticism does not affect him, but it affects you one hundred percent.”

“My mom took shots at the criticism. She was worried and called me. She doesn’t know how it works.

“She is worried because she thinks no one loves her son.

“Football is tough mentally. Everyone sees us playing in the big stadiums. We drive a nice car. Don’t get me wrong, we live the life thousands would like to live, but the sacrifices shouldn’t be underestimated.

鈥淢entally speaking, football can be stressful. When everything is going well, it is easy, just like with the people in the office. But if it is not going well, it is different. Then it doesn’t really matter if I went to a nice house after work.. There is more to life than material things.

鈥淚 was only a pro a few years ago, remember? At Rangers it got better for me, but there will come a time when your level will go down.

“With me, you could call the start of this season a period of slump. The team didn’t play well and I’d rather play at full-back than left-back. It was also a test of character.”

Meanwhile, Michael Bell has revealed that Nnamdi Ofobore will see a third specialist in a bid to overcome a heart problem that has halted his Rangers career before it even began.

The 23-year-old midfielder’s condition was discovered after signing from Bournemouth two years ago and he has yet to make his debut.

This week Ofoborh posted three pictures of him in the hospital on his Instagram account, one of which read: “Two years, two operations, hundreds of appointments” and another that said: “Shut up on the situation so I look like a bad guy, everyone will show abuse in the last two years.”

However, sympathetic chairman Bale, who was assistant coach to Steven Gerrard when Ofobore signed, insisted that the player “get the best help he can” as he continues his search for answers.

“I don’t see how he can comment on the club,” said the Gears coach.

鈥淚t’s really a personal matter. Since he came to Rangers he has never been able to train with the group or play with the group.

鈥淗e was away seeing the best cardiologists we could find. He saw two different opinions and we are now supporting him to see a third.

鈥淗e was away and saw the best people possible. He was away and saw the specialist who dealt with Daley Blind and Christian Eriksen as well.

“It’s fair to say those opinions weren’t always perfect so he was able to get back into light training but our advice from the specialist is just light training that anyone can do.

“I’m close to him and I really feel his situation, he’s a guy whose whole life has been turned upside down in the last couple of years and he’s finding it really hard with the comments he’s been getting.

“But he is absent to see a third specialist and the club supports him in that.

“The club have been fantastic in supporting him over the past two years. It’s just a really difficult situation.

“Everything we could have done as a football club we did.

“It’s really frustrating for Nnamdi that he can’t do whatever he wants, but we act according to the advice we’ve been given and sometimes that can be difficult.”