Rangers were linked with numerous strikers over the summer as a replacement for Alfredo Morelos was sought, having impressed during the season, Kevin van Veen was a name regularly tipped by pundits.
At 32 years old, he was far from what fans were expecting to lead the club into a new era with £4m spent on Cyriel Dessers as well as a reported £6m spent on Danilo instead.
Moving on a free transfer, Rangers were urged to go for Kevin van Veen but, he chose to return to the Netherlands where it isn’t going entirely to plan, as revealed in an interview with ESPN.
Rangers-linked Kevin van Veen could be available again
The former Motherwell star enjoyed a prolific season during his final year in Scottish football but a lack of pace and mobility was always going to be the biggest obstacle to Rangers taking a cheap punt.
Speaking after coming off the bench against FC Emmen, it’s pretty clear that Rangers-linked Kevin van Veen is far from happy with having to make do with a place on the bench for Groningen, bluntly stating:
“There may be opportunities to be appreciated elsewhere later in the season.”
It’s the first time that Van Veen has been on the bench all season and has five goals in 11 games so far.
When players are unhappy, they usually reply with a standard issue answer about working harder or about every player wanting to start games, not threaten to leave the club after just six months.
Would the Rangers consider Kevin van Veen?
Rangers now have reasonable depth in the striker position.
If Dessers can maintain the performance he put in against Hibs, then there will be genuine competition for the starting striker role for the first time in years.
Hopefully, this should mean that Philippe Clement doesn’t have to stick with one that isn’t scoring goals.
You’d like to think that those who are benched will respond better for Rangers than Kevin van Veen has for Groningen though.
