The 22-year-old defensive midfielder is expected to leave Heerenveen after a solid season in the Eredivisie last year and has significant interest in his services.

 

Steven Gerrard is an admirer of the Dutch midfielder and wants to take him to Rangers in the ongoing transfer window.

 

 

Molenaar indicated that Veerman could be ready to move on from Heerenveen as he believes that he is prepared to adapt to a higher level of football at this stage of his career.

 

The Dutch coach gave Veerman his first break at FC Volendam and lavished praise on the midfielder for his technical ability on the ball.

 

 

The 52-year-old insisted that the midfielder is ready to take his game to the next level and believes he shows massive tactical understanding of the game for a player of his age.

 

Molenaar told Dutch daily the Noordhollands Dagblad: “He has proven at Heerenveen that he can quickly adapt to a higher level.

 

 

“When he joined from the academy it was said that he did everything at one pace, but Berry Smit always said, ‘they can’t kick him’.

 

“And that was right.

 

“He can really accelerate [his development].

 

“That’s because his ability on the ball is extremely good. Technically, Joey has a lot to offer and tactically he looks beyond his years.

 

“His greatest quality, however, is that he plays to enjoy the game as if he was playing on a square in Volendam.

 

“He is calm.”

 

Hellas Verona have tabled a €5m bid while Rangers are yet to put in a formal offer for Veerman.

 

Heerenveen are believed to be holding out for a fee close to the €10m mark.