CALVIN BASSEY has been left out of the Nigeria squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The Rangers youngster was widely tipped to make the finals squad but has missed out on a place in the 28-man list for the competition in Cameroon.

It means he won't join up with the Super Eagles in the New Year but team-mates Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun will having earned call-ups.

The tournament, which begins on January 9 and runs until February 6 has sparked fears Rangers could be without key men for the rescheduled Celtic clash on February 2.

But now it's confirmed Bassey will be available for the trip to Celtic Park and he won't miss any domestic action after the national team snub.

Aribo and Balogun will both miss matches through the international commitments, and should Nigeria make the quarter-finals it would be tight to make it back for the Old Firm match.

If they progress any further then it's certain they wouldn't play any part in the powderkeg clash at Celtic Park.

Nigeria AFCON 28-man squad

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England)