Netherlands international midfielder and PSV Joey Veerman claims “nothing comes close” to the atmosphere generated at Ibrox.
The playmaker, 24, has played against Rangers at the Champions League Playoff stage twice in the last two seasons and knows all well the impact the famous stadium can have.
Held to a 2-2 draw last season before falling victim to a 1-0 defeat in Eindhoven, Joey Veerman and his PSV peers must’ve thought history was repeating itself at Ibrox this season.
But after yet another 2-2 draw against Rangers in Glasgow, a 5-1 demolition of the Gers saw PSV progress and the Ibrox side dumped out of the competition.
After international duty with the Netherlands, Veerman heaped praise on Ibrox following the country’s 2-1 comeback win over the Republic of Ireland.
“The ambiance in the Aviva Stadium was beautiful,” said Veerman. “But at Ibrox against Rangers it is even more intense. Nothing can come close. But I did like it, those crazy Irish.”
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Joey Veerman: Nothing comes close to Ibrox
The Joey Veerman comments might come as a surprise to some given how salty the midfielder was following the clash at Ibrox.
Both the midfielder and club captain Luuk de Jong won no friends at Ibrox following the 2-2 draw and Joey Veerman has previous with his moaning about Rangers.
The entire thing takes on an extra dimension too with the fact that back in 2021, six months before his move to PSV Eindhoven, Rangers were extensively linked with a move for the player.
It’s good to see Ibrox leaving such a lasting impression on Joey Veerman but Rangers fans will have to console themselves with Europa League football this season.
Having drawn Real Betis, Sparta Prague and AEL Limassol in Europe’s second tier competition, the club kick off their campaign against the Spaniards this week.
Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven on the other hand start their Champions League campaign against Arsenal and will also face Sevilla and Lens at Europe’s top table.