Ibrox hero Michael Mols fears reported Rangers target Joey Veerman would struggle to adapt to the hustle and bustle of Scottish football, speaking to the Daily Record.
Now, the Heerenveen midfielder is about as technical as they come.
If Steven Gerrard wants a player capable of cracking open a deep-lying defence with an inch-perfect through ball or find the net from long range, Veerman is his man (Voetbal International).
The 22-year-old Dutchman has produced nine goals and ten assists for a mid-table outfit this season, establishing himself as arguably the Eredivisie’s finest midfielder outside the traditional big three – Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV.
But if Veerman hopes to exert the same influence at Rangers, there’s a lot he needs to improve.
Questions have been asked in the recent past about Veerman’s physique and pace – two attributes that would come in very handy in an aggressive, fast-paced division.
“He’s a really good technical player and a good passer, really good with the ball. But I don’t know if Scottish football would suit him,” says Mols, the former Rangers and Netherlands striker.
“Scottish football is more aggressive so I have a little bit of doubt in my mind.
“I could be wrong and maybe I’m not a good judge but that is my opinion. He’s really good with the ball and I would compare him a little bit to Wim Jonk (the former Ajax, Inter Milan and Sheffield Wednesday favourite).
“He is perfect with the ball and in possession he’s a really great player. His passing and movement with the ball is really relaxed in a good way.
“But in Scottish football there’s a lot of emphasis on duels and fighting for the ball. I’m just not sure that would suit his style. He would maybe find it a little bit difficult to adapt.”
Heerenveen are expected to demand about £11 million for their most important player – a fee that would set Rangers back a club-record sum.
And, as the diminutive Ianis Hagi has shown, you don’t need to be carved out of Glasgow granite to thrive in the Scottish game.
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