Michael Mols has admitted he has doubts over whether Joey Veerman would be suited to the Scottish game after the rising Dutch midfield ace was linked with a move to Rangers.
Former Light Blues striker Mols read the reports in Holland which listed Steven Gerrard ’s side among a host of European clubs who are said to be on the trail of the Heerenveen star.
Mols is a big admirer of the 22-year-old and likened him to Dutch legend Wim Jonk who, like Veerman, also started his professional career at second tier side Volendam.
He made the jump to the Eredivisie two years ago and his standout performances for Heerenveen have attracted attention from the biggest clubs in Holland with PSV Eindhoven said to have baulked at a transfer fee in excess of £10 million.
Mols admitted Veerman is a classy, possession-based player but isn’t sure if the rough and tumble of Scottish football would be the best place for his subtle skills.
In an exclusive interview with Record Sport Online , the 50-year-old said: “I saw the stories linking Joey Veerman with Rangers.
“He’s a really good technical player and a good passer, really good with the ball but I don’t know if Scottish football will suit him.
“Scottish football is more aggressive, like the English Premier League which is physical, so I have a little bit of doubt in my mind.
“I could be completely 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 from my time.
“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 is 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.”
Mols won six major honours in six years at Ibrox after joining Rangers from FC Utrecht and returned to his former club before spells at Den Haag and Feyenoord to finish his career.
He was part of the Dutch invasion under Dick Advocaat where Giovanni van Bronckhorst was arguably the best of all the signings and had no issues adapting to Scottish football.
Mols said: “If I think of Giovanni van Bronckhorst he also had pace and was aggressive defensively so he was the complete midfielder but that’s not Joey.
“Look, maybe I’m wrong but that’s where I have a little bit of doubt with Joey. He is a promising player and there is reported interest from PSV Eindhoven and he’s seen as a player who could move to one of the big three.
“Football-wise he can do it but there are a few doubts and also the money that Heerenveen want is making a move difficult. According to media reports in Holland, they are talking about 12 million Euros. PSV Eindhoven seem to think that is too much.
“He can play really good football but it’s hard in Scotland. People think it’s easy to play in Scotland but it’s not. You don’t get time on the ball and then there is the physical aspect. Joey is best if you are in total control of the game and you are in possession of the ball. He is the player who can distribute the ball.”
