MAGIC DUTCH

Veldman's following in footsteps of Wim, Dick and Gio but his inspiration is Foppe

- STEPHEN HALLIDAY

ROBIN VELDMAN is proud to be following a path forged by some of Dutch football's biggest names in becoming a head coach in Glasgow.

But while the new Queen's Park manager respects the achievements of Wim Jansen, Dick Advocaat and Giovanni van Bronckhorst at the Old Firm, he looks to another of his compatriots for inspiration as he bids to make the Spiders a major force in the city and Scottish football.

Veldman, who was formally unveiled at Lesser Hampden yesterday, learned his trade as a youth coach at Heerenveen where his mentor was the renowned figure of Foppe de Haan, who led the unfashionable club from the second tier to the Champions League.

He said: "I never really had a hero but if I look at someone who inspired me, it's Foppe.