Everything looked rosy for Glasgow Rangers in the summer of 2021. The Ibrox giants had just claimed their 55th Premiership title by a landslide, going unbeaten along the way, and their crosstown arch-rivals appeared to be in disarray.

With a chance to secure qualification to the Champions League group stage for the first time in 11 years just a few games away, it was clear that Steven Gerrard needed to make signings. Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman was duly targeted, but no official move was made due to his £8m asking price, with the player himself hitting out at the price tag.

Shortly before the January 2022 transfer window, journalist Pete O’Rourke claimed that the now 24-year-old was still wanted by Rangers, saying: “Veerman will definitely be high on the list of targets. They tried to sign him in the summer and he still remains high on their list of potential targets.”

He eventually joined PSV Eindhoven, and it’s a case of what might have been for the Light Blues, especially with new reports linking him to none other than Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag is eyeing more signings from his native Netherlands, and Veerman is one of the players on his list having impressed since joining PSV.

Former Rangers striker Michael Mols once dubbed the 24-year-old “perfect with the ball”, and his form since joining the Dutch giants a year ago has been wonderful.

In 51 appearances in Eindhoven, he has scored 13 goals and registered 12 assists while playing predominantly in a central midfield role, and these are wonderful returns considering his primary position.

This season has seen the Dutchman go from strength to strength, achieving a Sofascore rating of 7.41/10 across 16 Eredivisie appearances, chipping in with five goal contributions and creating eight big chances, while also making 1.9 key passes per match.

He is no slouch defensively either, winning 58% of his duels and making 1.5 tackles and 0.8 clearances per game in demonstrating his all-round ability, and it’s no wonder that Man United are interested in bringing him to the Premier League.

The demands for his signature in 2021 were obviously out of Rangers' price range, but considering the form he has displayed since joining PSV, it’s evident that the Glasgow club should have brought him to Ibrox by whatever means possible.

Gerrard definitely had a shocker over the midfield dynamo 18 months ago, and it looks as though Veerman could blossom into a Premier League star if he maintains his current performance levels.