WEMUSTBEWARYOF VANVEENTHREAT
Martindale:WellhitmancanonceagainposeLiviproblems
Livi boss David Martindale has highlighted Dutch striker Kevin Van Veen as a major threat ahead of Saturday’s game against Motherwell at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
In the last four years over 12 matches Livingston have only won twice against Motherwell – although both times at home.
The last time Livingston played ’Well they were beaten 2-0 – in no small part due to Dutch striker Kevin Van Veen – who scored both goals with a header and an assist from Connor Shields.
Martindale is in no doubt about the quality of the Dutch player:“Kevin Van Veen has to be one of the best strikers in the league.
“I’ll be shocked if he’s still with Motherwell next year. He’s technically gifted, he leads the line, and in my opinion he’s got the capability to play on a larger level.
“And that’s no disrespect to Motherwell of course – I think Van Veen is to Motherwell what Lyndon Dykes was to
Livingston in terms of how important he is to the team.
“Last time we played Motherwell I thought we played not too bad at all but we still got beat – Van Veen was definitely the difference on the day.”
Top scorer Bruce Anderson continues to be missing from the line-up following his injury in training a few weeks ago, but the Livi boss has shone a light on his recovery.
Martindale said: “He’s healing a lot quicker than expected, he’s probably about two to three weeks away from training.
“He could possibly even play the last two or three games all going well, which is a surprise because I honestly thought he would be out for the rest of the season.”
Last Saturday saw the squad, the officials, and the fans all bemoan the refereeing decisions in the match against St. Johnstone.
Early on the ref awarded a spot-kick to the Perth side despite Davidson being offside – and then failed to grant a potential game-saving penalty to
Livi after a handball.
Martindale added: “I don’t think the ref last week was making great decisions. Everybody and their dog could see we should have been granted a penalty last week.
“But I spoke to the boys after the game. We can’t control the referee’s decisions, so we should focus on what’s next – this Saturday’s game against Motherwell – it’s no use dwelling on the past.”