GAFFER WILL KNOW WATT WE NEED
Well equipped to cope fine insists Stephen
STEPHEN O’DONNELL insists Motherwell have all the answers for the departure of Tony Watt.
The Fir Park captain backs boss Graham Alexander’s transfer market acumen to source a class replacement.
But if the money isn’t available to find a man to fill Watt’s shooting boots then plenty scoring quality is already on the premises.
Kevin van Veen, signed from Scunthorpe last summer, gave notice of that with a superb double against Livingston on Boxing Day.
And support cast Connor Shields and Kaiyne Woolery – two other Alexander recruits – were both on form as Well finished a fine 2021 strongly with a 2-1 victory.
O’Donnell said: “Tony has done exceptionally well for us this season. He’s been brilliant.
“Like any player who does well for you it’s great for him personally if he wants to move on to another challenge. Tony has done well and I wish him well if he does go.
“It’s up to us as a club to replace him. It’s important we get quality in this January if we want to keep pushing. And get them in the positions the gaffer targets.
“If that’s a replacement for Tony if he goes then great. He’s got big boots to fill.
“It’s important we replace and replace well. I’m confident the gaffer and staff will do it.
“Kevin also has quality and you’ve seen it from the first day of the season.
“He’s had a couple of niggles here and there which have maybe curtailed his Motherwell career. But he still has a good return and, again, you see the quality he possesses with that performance against Livingston.
“He scored goals, he had more chances, he slipped people in and he showed he’s a very good player.
“Let’s hope he continues that form after the break and others have done themselves no harm in competing for that place.”