Van Veen: I played on for shot at being hero
KEVIN VAN VEEN played through the pain barrier as he was determined to be a Motherwell hero.
The big striker soldiered on for 70 minutes with a busted shoulder but still played a key part in the Steelmen’s goal to salvage a point against Aberdeen.
Van Veen was happy to dig deep but gutted Well couldn’t make it two wins in a week over the Dons.
He said: “I landed on it and felt it straight away. It’s a bit numb all over and I’ve been in a lot of pain.
“The gaffer asked if I was okay to continue. I gave it 10 minutes to see how it went but I still didn’t want to come off as I was holding out for that chance to be the hero.
“I had an involvement in the goal which was satisfying. But I wanted to win.”
Van Veen might have been toiling but he held off arch rival Declan Gallagher on the way to the goal.
He said: “When the ball came to me it was the adrenalin that got me through, as it was still sore.
“Once the goal goes in I don’t care how much pain I’m in. I’d rather have that and a bit of pain than not have a goal and no pain.
“We’ll see how it is when we assess it on Sunday or Monday. It’s a bit swollen. I wanted to fight for the team though and didn’t want to come off.”
Van Veen hit out at rival Gallagher after Well’s Scottish Cup win seven days earlier and the pair knocked lumps out of each other again on Saturday.
But van Veen said: “Last week we were fighting but this week it was the same but more respectful.
“Last week was a bit toxic but not this time. I wish them all the best for the rest of the season but not too much, as we want to finish above them.”