OFF COLOUR ON THE BALL
Van Veen climbs out of sick bed to win and convert penalty in Well’s Euro bid
KEVIN VAN VEEN spent all week in bed but ended up leaving Ross County floored and Motherwell dreaming of Europa Conference League football.
The striker netted the only goal to see the Steelmen jump above Ross County and into the European places.
Van Veen missed an entire week of training because of a bug that swept through Graham Alexander’s squad. He was only fit enough to make the bench but proved the difference in his 30-minute cameo role, as he won and converted the all-important penalty.
He said: “I wasn’t available all week because I was very ill. I didn’t train at all. The bus was as it normally was but we had to watch and not go around the other lads too much. I only got selected today because of all the illnesses.
“I still had some of the effects but I was able to play a part. I created a bit of chaos for the penalty, put it away and took the three points for my team. It has been a happy day.”
Ross County were unhappy with the penalty decision. They felt it was soft as Alex Iacovitti challenged van Veen from behind but the striker insisted David Munro was spot on in his award, from which he sent Ross Laidlaw the wrong way from he spot.
He said: “I can tell you it was 100 per cent a penalty. Connor Shields crossed the ball and their defenders were aggressive and eager to win everything.
“I am in the box, I nicked it in front of the defender and he clattered my calf. I couldn’t even stand up if I wanted to because he put me to the floor. I went down, got the penalty and put it away. For me, I didn’t dive or search for anything.
“My intention was to get a touch and shoot but it didn’t happen because I was brought down. I can’t stand up if somebody kicks my leg away. It was a penalty for me.”
Motherwell moved two points clear of County but van Veen knows things can change again over the next two games with County, Dundee United and his team fighting for two spots. Next up the Steelmen need to show their mettle at home to Hearts before they sign off at Celtic.
He said: “Today we didn’t create much but defensively we were amazing. If you see (Liam) Kelly his save was what we needed and gave us a good boost and positivity for Wednesday. We are nowhere yet and we have two big games coming up. Hopefully, we can have another positive result on Wednesday.”
Alexander had only seen his team win one league game this year before Saturday. That was just their second win in 16 games and their first clean sheet in 14. He was under a bit of pressure but he and his team delivered when it mattered. It was the same when they dramatically clinched the top six.
Could it be the same in the European shake-up? You certainly wouldn’t bet against them. Van Veen isn’t taking anything for granted.
“We have two really tough games and they will be different to this one,” he said. “What we need to do is be very good defensively again and from there to try to create chances, put some balls in the net and win the game.
“Driving seat? It is a bit too positive for me! We still have a lot of work to do but it is definitely a good result for us. If we hadn’t won it would have been tough for us to make it but it is a good step.”
Ross County were the better team in the first half but didn’t test Kelly enough. Joe Efford came closest to scoring but was denied by Laidlaw.
County pushed after the break but Jordan White couldn’t generate enough power to beat Kelly and then the keeper did brilliantly to tip over Blair Spittal’s effort.
Motherwell got their penalty and County threw everything at them and a brilliant stoppage time from Kelly kept out Joseph Hungbo.
The defence was dogged and stood firm, while County will be hoping it isn’t an afternoon that proves costly.