Joey Veerman drops Rangers smack talk as PSV superstar bigs up rivals after Champions League feud

PSV Eindhoven star Joey Veerman has stepped away from taking pot shots at Rangers after their Champions League playoff - as he hailed the Ibrox atmosphere.

The 24-year-old was left reeling after being knocked out of Europe's elite competition during Gio van Bronckhorst's time at the club - when he claimed that the Scottish Premiership side didn't deserve their spot in the group stage spot. And it was a case of deja vu for the playmaker who was left frustrated by PSV 's display in the first leg at Ibrox this term as he claimed that Michael Beale's side "smashed the ball into the stands" all night.

Veerman would ultimately have his revenge in second leg of the clash as the Light Blues were thrashed in Eindhoven as PSV booked their spot in the group stage - with the Dutch outfit opening their campaign against Arsenal on Wednesday. But ahead of facing the English Premier League side, Veerman gave a nod to Rangers.

The playmaker made only his third appearance for the Netherlands national side when Ronald Koeman's side ran out winners over Irelands - and he was put on the spot about the atmosphere inside the Aviva Stadium. Speaking to Nieuw Volendam he said: "The ambiance in the Aviva Stadium was beautiful.

"But at Ibrox against Rangers it is even more intense. Nothing can come close. But I did like it, those crazy Irish.”

The confident Dutchman also talked up PSV's chances of reaching the knockout rounds of Europe's elite competition before facing Mikel Arteta's side. He said:"The atmosphere there (at the Emirates) will also be intense, more charged than last year, because then we played against each other there in the Europa League.

"Now it is the first group match in the Champions League. In terms of the draw there are