When Rangers signed Juninho Bacuna instead of Joey Veerman, the writing was on the wall.
Steven Gerrard seemed set to land his signing of the summer in 2021 and a player that would prepare his side for Champions League football.
The Dutchman has found life equally as intense at PSV Eindhoven though with a report that his girlfriend has received death threats by ESPN journalist Martijn van Zijtveld.
“Joey Veerman is completely empty on the radio. Because his name is (wrongly) associated with an ‘uprising’ against Van Nistelrooy, his girlfriend receives death threats under a post with an ultrasound of their baby.”
Guiding PSV to second place in the league and a cup win looks like a decent season on paper, however, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s shock sacking suggests that all was not well behind the scenes.
Once linked to Rangers, Joey Veerman had his name spread as one of the players who were undermining their gaffer.
Veerman is a good player, however, Van Nistelrooy is a legend around Eindhoven and there is only ever going to be one winner amongst the support in that sort of situation.
Whether or not the reports are accurate are irrelevant to some supporters.
Rangers recruitment saw Joey Veerman missed opportunity
Rangers fans saw Joey Veerman as the goal scoring midfielder that we had been crying out for.
In a summer where Gerrard knew that he was going to have players like Leon Balogun, Glen Kamara, Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos missing for the first leg against Malmo in the qualifiers, recruitment was going to be key.
John Lundstram and Fashion Sakala arrived as the main summer signings – both on free transfers – and the rest is history.
Veerman was expensive at a reported £7m but this was the sort of investment and quality of player that was needed to compete in the Champions League.
PSV wrote the cheque and got their man but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he has had enough.
Rangers players get plenty of stick and have seen more of their fair share this season where Old Firm and European results have been far from acceptable.
None of the abuse has been to the extent that Joey Veerman and his girlfriend have gone through though and one can only hope that those responsible are held accountable.
