Heerenveen talisman Joey Veerman should join an Eredivisie giant rather than make a summer switch to Rangers, former coach Robert Molenaar tells the Press Association, via The Sun.
It’s fair to say Veerman has come a long way since being handed his professional debut by Molenaar at second-tier Volendam five years ago.
The all-action midfielder has blossomed into one of the most influential footballers in Holland at Heerenveen’s Abe Lenstra Stadium, forging a formidable partnership with namesake Henk Veerman while proving himself to be a reliable source of goals from the centre of the park.
A penalty specialist with a penchant for defence-splitting through balls, Veerman has produced 10 assists in 2020/21 while scoring another nine himself.
And, with the 22-year-old quickly outgrowing his Frisian surroundings, a battle for his signature is about to begin. Voetbal International reports that the likes of Rangers and Atalanta are battling for the £8.5 million-rated dynamo.
Molenaar, however, believes that Veerman would be better served swapping Heerenveen for an Ajax, a PSV or a Feyenoord for the time being.
“If he wanted my advice I’d point him towards the big three in Holland instead of going abroad. I think that would be a better choice for him to develop,” Molenaar says.
“If he stayed in Holland, he would remain in his normal surroundings and I think that would be kinder for him as he looks to make another step up.
“His stress management is remarkable on the field and I think that would also mean he would be capable of enjoying the kind of life you get in Glasgow with a club like Rangers.
“But I think if he were to go to Ajax, PSV or Feyenoord and adapt like he did when he moved to Heerenveen, then there will be even more teams for him to pick from after that.”
Molenaar is not surprised to see Rangers show an interest ahead of the summer transfer window. At £8.5 million, Veerman is already worth a bob or two, though another impressive campaign could see him move out of the reach of the newly-crowned Scottish Premiership champions.
“He will become more expensive, so I can understand why Rangers would like to get him on board now.
“Attacking-wise, he would be more than capable of coping with the faster pace in Scotland.
“What was very remarkable was how quickly he adapted. His ability on the ball also stood out – especially his passing. He did have a bit of a label on him that he did everything too much at one pace – but once he got into the first team we soon realised nobody could get near him, even to kick him!”
Beating Atalanta to one of Holland’s finest footballers – and making him the second biggest signing in their entire history – would be one hell of a way for Rangers to kick off the summer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
