KEV’S WORTH A KING’S RANSOM
Spittal hails Dutch star for regal performance
He has already been crowned King Kevin at Fir Park.
But the big question for Motherwell fans is: Will he still be on the throne next season?
Dutch striker Kevin van Veen was hailed by the home support before and after this victory over Kilmarnock.
They even unveiled a banner that read: “King Kev – born to reign over us.”
The 31-year- old produced another regal performance in Lanarkshire as he bagged his 25th goal of the season.
He was outstanding for Stuart Kettlewell’s side who took a huge step towards safety thanks to Blair Spittal’s first-half strike and van Veen’s late clincher.
He’s become a maver ick for the he Steelmen.
But, with a year left on his contract , rumours are a bound that he could leave this summer.
Aberdeen are said to be keen and if Well receive a bid for van Veen, it could be too tempting to turn down. That would upset the fans who idolise him. And team-mates would be gutted as well, given his contribution this season.
Spittal is one who has benefited after being given licence to play off the Dutch ace in the attacking third.
After breaking the deadlock, Spittal should have scored a second after a ridiculous piece of van Veen skill.
The midfielder said: “Kevin is unreal to play with. He could
have scored four or five goals.
“His contribution has been vital and given usu a platform to get out of the situation we were in.
“Kevin’s up there with the best I ’ ve played with.
“At Dundee United, I was with Andy Robertson, Stuart Armstrong, Gary Mackay-Steven. I also played with Scott
McDonald who was brilliant but Kev is definitely up there.
“He deserves all the plaudits he gets. Whatever happens in the summer will happen. If he was to go, the onus would be on us to step up for the team.”
The first half was littered with stoppages – so thank God for Spittal’s early opener.
Sean Goss did brilliantly to work the ball wide to James Furlong who cut it back.
Spittal ( left) took a touch before firing past Sam Walker in Killie’s goal.
Kilmarnock were dreadful early on, much to the disgust of their big travelling support.
Van Veen had the ball in the net af ter a good move involving Callum Slattery and Mikael Mandron – but it was ruled out for offside.
A four-minute VAR delay, which involved a red card check for a Goss tackle on Alan Power, was ludicrous.
This was after kick-off was held back because ref Kevin
Clancy’s mic equipment wasn’t in working order.
Killie’s only proper threat was a Danny Armstrong free- kick that clipped the outside of Liam Kelly’s post.
The visitors improved in the second half without ever really testing the Well keeper.
Instead, it was van Veen who was a constant threat.
His sublime back-heel for Spittal should have resulted in a second goal but Walker saved with his legs.
Then he left defender Joe Wright in his wake before his curler forced a terrific save.
And after Paul McGinn hit the post for Motherwell, van Veen had the final say.
A stunning first touch from Kelly’s punt upfield took him in on goal and he made no mistake with his finish.
That put Killie to bed and deep into the relegation mire.
Their subs – which Derek McInnes was derided for by his own support – made a difference after the break.
Despite working hard they lacked the guile or quality to score. What they would do for a van Veen of their own to help them out of trouble.