The 20 year Rangers curse Motherwell are out to break as Stuart Kettlewell names one star who can KO Ibrox side

Stuart Kettlewell reckons Kevin van Veen will back himself to KO Motherwell’s Rangers curse that stretches back to Boxing Day 2002.

Other than a monumental 2015 Premiership play-off victory the Steelmen haven’t beaten the Ibrox side home or away since a teenage James McFadden scored the winner more than 20 years ago. The Fir Park faithful have a new talisman now with Dutchman Van Veen taking his season tally to 17 with a double in the 2-0 win at Ross County to make it 10 points from four games for the new manager.

Kettlewell knows he has his work cut out against a side that’s gone 15 unbeaten in the league and is flying under Michael Beale - a coach he rates as one of the best going. But having led Ross County to a first ever victory at Celtic Park three seasons ago the Fir Park boss knows a thing or two about landmark results. And he’s desperate to deliver another in tomorrow’s lunchtime showdown in Lanarkshire, with a little help from Van Veen.

Kettlewell said: “Kevin has been fantastic. His goals and quality speak for themselves. He is a different character and personality but I can say nothing but positive things about him. He’s been really receptive to what I’ve been trying to do. He wants to be coached which shows a humble nature.

“A lot of guys might feel they know it all and don’t want a manager telling them anything. But that’s not the side I see from Kevin. The players and the group know he is the type of guy that can make the difference. He did against Ross County and has on numerous occasions this season.

“I have seen the hunger in Kevin since I came in and he’s the type of guy that’s disappointed not walking away with three goals in Dingwall last time out. That’s a brilliant trait to have. He backs himself,