DE VRIJ QUICK STEPS TO THE TOP

Stefan's nifty footwork thanks to ex-Toffee

- NEIL MOXLEY

LESS than an hour after Holland had booked their place in a semi-final against England, lan Atkins' phone pinged.

"Who are you supporting then?" read the message.

Atkins grinned. His protege Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij, who scored in the quarter-final against Turkey (below) was jokingly questioning his loyalties.

For the ex-Everton title winner, it was to be expected, the happy outcome of a surprise friendship born out of De Vrij tapping into the lesser-known teachings of an ex-ballroom dancing champion from England's North East.

Atkins was a convert himself during his playing days and has passed on the knowledge, an experience he hopes will not count against the Three Lions tonight.

The 67-year-old said: "In December 2013, I was Everton's European scout and I was in the car with Stefan's agent, Alex Kroos.