Kevin Van Veen set for new Motherwell contract as Graham Alexander's 'trust' pays off

Kevin Van Veen is closing in on a new Motherwell deal - and Graham Alexander hopes the striker can give his fan club double reason to celebrate by firing the club into Europe.

The Dutch ace has become a Fir Park favourite with his talismanic displays in a 10-goal season.

His return from suspension is perfectly timed as Motherwell head into a make-or-break week for their European ambitions with this afternoon’s trip to Ross County offering the chance to jump the Staggies into the last Euro spot in fifth.

Alexander’s relationship with Van Veen from his time at Scunthorpe helped lure the 6ft 1in frontman north from the The Iron last summer.

And he said: “Kevin has a year left on his deal but we had a brief chat a few weeks ago about looking to extend that.

“We agreed to get through to the split and then sit down properly. We don’t want him to go into next season going into his last year.

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“He has enjoyed his football after a difficult couple of years with injury. We gave him a place where he is trusted and loved and he has responded to that.

“His quality is undoubted. Coming to us has ticked off the things we spoke about last summer, the profile of playing for Motherwell and some of the grounds and teams