Rangers’ pursuit of Joey Veerman appears to be over permanently after the Dutchman agreed a deal with PSV to go to Eindhoven.
The £6M deal, a touch lower than Heerenveen’s €10M demands, went through after a glut of clubs pulled out of interest in the midfielder following confirmation he struggles badly with homesickness, and has had to pull out of international call ups as a result.
Italian giants Atalanta, Rangers and a few other outfits from overseas were interested in Veerman, but following forensic analysis of his character and performances, it appears despite GVB being manager, there will be no follow up offer after the emergence of those psychological issues.
In statement in late 2020 Veerman said:
“First of all, I would like to say that I think it is an honour to play for the Dutch Junior Team. For private reasons I want to spend my time differently during the international periods for the time being. This is the reason I was not called up. I will focus on SC Heerenveen in the coming period and hope to be able and allowed to represent my country at a later time.”
Indeed, Veerman only won a single cap for his country at any youth level, in 2016 with the U19s, and it’s clear now he struggles with any foreign camps away from his family.
Consequently, Veerman in Scotland would be a complete non-starter and the player is likely, unless he finds a way around it, not to realise his full potential by remaining in Holland.
Of course PSV is a decent gig, but it’ll be fun and games when he potentially gives their away Euro fixtures a miss…