Gers target’s value “only going up” as coach makes international claim

Rangers have been urged to move quickly to secure what looks to be their biggest target of the summer, if reports are to be believed.

The claim has come from Scott Calderwood, currently coaching in the Dutch second tier, and son of former Aberdeen boss Jimmy.

Speaking to The Daily Record, Calderwood claims that it is only a matter of time before Joey Veerman is called up the the senior Netherlands national squad which in turn could price Rangers out of a move for the midfielder:

“Joey is a very talented player – very talented,”

“I first came across him when I was working for Go Ahead Eagles and he was at his first club Volendam and he immediately stood out even though he was only 16 or 17.

“He made the move to Heerenveen at the right time because when he was playing in the Dutch Championship, it was too easy for him but he wasn’t developing as much as he should have been at that stage.

“But he chose a great club in Heerenveen to move to and he’s done an absolutely great job for them.

“However, he’s now back in a similar kind of situation to when he was at Volendam in that he needs something new to come along so he can take the next step of his development again because you can again see it’s getting too easy.

“But Joey’s technical ability is clear to see. I saw Rangers play against Real Madrid over the weekend and I definitely think he could fit in there.

“He’s not the typical Scottish midfielder who goes from box to box but Joey could thrive under Steven Gerrard and the way his team play.

“His next move is important. He’s ready to become an international player for Holland. If he keeps developing the way he is, his value is only going to go up.

“If you look back to where he’s come from over the last four, five years then you can see his value has shot up.”

Said to be valued at over £8million by Heerenveen, he is already at the top end of our price range and unless Ross Wilson can work his magic, it might be a signing that slips away from the Gers transfer supremo.

If Calderwood is right, paying £5-8m for Veerman could yet prove to be a good investment, the Dutch national team is nowhere near as strong as it used to be and yet in the past we had plenty of players achieve international recognition whilst plying their trade at Ibrox – hopefully the 22-year old playmaker is next.