History boy Van Veen makes it a great eight
KEVIN VAN VEEN etched his name in the history books on the eve of a night in the spotlight at the PFA Scotland Player of the Year awards. The striker showed why he’s been nominated by his fellow professionals for the prestigious individual prize.
He soldiered on through a foot injury to trouble the St Johnstone defence all afternoon, ably assisted by the increasingly impressive Mikael Mandron.
Van Veen struck early in the second half through a retaken penalty to net his 26th goal in all competitions.
In doing so, the 31-year-old matched Craig Dargo, then of Inverness, who scored in eight consecutive league games in 2006/07. In the Premiership era, Van Veen has eclipsed the seven-match record of Alfredo Morelos and David Clarkson.
Going eight straight also created a Motherwell post-war record for successive top-flight games with a goal.
With Motherwell’s status secure for another season and Van Veen sure to be attracting interest from other clubs, there’s scope for the Dutchman to look after himself down the stretch.
But, as manager Stuart Kettlewell recognised, that’s the last consideration in his mind.
Kettlewell said: ‘Kevin played through an injury. It’s with his foot and he didn’t train an awful lot through the week.
‘If you’re not committed to the cause at this club then he’s chapping my door and telling me that he wants to sit at the side and not be involved.
‘That never came across at any point. The record of scoring in eight league games speaks for itself.’
After going close with a 22-yard dipping drive then being denied by the offside flag when ‘scoring’ in the first half, Van Veen enjoyed a slice of second period fortune.
He was teed up from the spot by a trip from Andy Considine on Stephen O’Donnell. Remi Matthews saved to his right but VAR intervened to ruin the keeper’s day. Van Veen dug into his repertoire and clipped an audacious finish straight down the middle with his second kick.
Liam Kelly enjoyed an easy afternoon as St Johnstone’s poorest work was reserved for the final third.
And it was Motherwell who struck again on the break. From eight yards, Mandron converted Blair Spittal’s low delivery in the second minute of stoppage time.
The Frenchman’s first league goal helped ease Motherwell up to seventh.
St Johnstone, meanwhile, are only three points above 11th place after a bad day for them at the bottom.