Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Kevin van Veen hopes to spoil the title party as Motherwell visit Rangers

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 September 2021, 15:43
Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen feels playing in front of 50,000 at Ibrox can bring the best out of him as he recalled giving Chelsea a fright at Stamford Bridge.

Van Veen was part of a Scunthorpe side that lost 2-0 against a side featuring the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Diego Costa six seasons ago. But he should have had a penalty when Ramires tripped him, and he almost caught out Asmir Begovic with an ambitious free-kick.

Motherwell take on Rangers on Sunday after the home side hoist the league title flag in a ceremony delayed from the opening day, and Covid restrictions mean there will be no visiting fans inside Ibrox.

But van Veen believes he can thrive in the hostile atmosphere.

The Dutchman said: "The last big one was the FA Cup with Scunthorpe against Chelsea away so that was quite a big game too. This is going to be something similar or even bigger.

"Chelsea put their strongest team out. I played left wing and I actually had one of the best games in my career on the left wing, against (Branislav) Ivanovic. I should have had a penalty and I hit the post.

"I do feel I am really looking forward to these type of games. I feel it brings the best out in me and hopefully I can show on Sunday that I can be on the level to threaten and be dangerous and creative even against Rangers, just play my own game, work hard for my team-mates and hopefully get a good result."

Van Veen, who netted his second goal in three league starts against Aberdeen last weekend, added: "It's a big test, everyone knows how good they are. We are in good form, we played quite well on Saturday and didn't give much away. Hopefully we can defend well as a team and going forward we can be an attacking threat."

The talented former Northampton player has spoken of how he is motivated to get fans off their seats, but he will be looking to silence the crowd on Sunday.

"Personally, I love to ruin a title party," he said. "That would be good but it's going to be really tough. We really need to be on top of our game, every single one of us, we need to be at the top of our game and even a little bit more, to get a good result there."

Top News

24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has questioned why the club and manager Pep Guardiola 'have not adapted" to the demands of the modern schedule as pressure mounts on one of the world's best coaches. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will look to bounce back from a heavy 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth when they travel to Molineux for their Boxing Day clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been dealt a blow in their quest to sign AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 is already in jeopardy - with the January transfer window coming at a perfect time. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been dealt a blow in their quest to sign AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly identified Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio as a potential replacement for their current number one Ederson. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has questioned Marcus Rashford's team after the forward recently admitted he could leave the club in the near future. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has revealed that Kristoffer Ajer suffered an ankle injury at the weekend. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim says Marcus Rashford has created a 'hard situation' after declaring he is seeking a Manchester United exit. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk There is a legitimate case that Mohamed Salah is the Premier League's best ever player, and he could surpass Thierry Henry sooner rather than later, according to Liverpool expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's 6-3 victory against Tottenham Hotspur proves that the club are the most complete side in the Premier League, and their title rivals should fear them, according to Reds expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Three years have passed since Zinedine Zidane last took to the dugout - but he is in no rush to return. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are in desperate need of a response when they travel to struggling Wolves on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are readying an offer of €60m (£49.8m) for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to a report. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal will not be playing on Boxing Day this year as they welcome Ipswich to the Emirates on Friday night instead. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has insisted that there is "no deadline" to sign a new contract at Anfield as he prepares to enter the last six months of his current terms. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table against Leicester in Boxing Day's late kick-off. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Mason Mount is set for another lengthy injury absence, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will face Leicester City on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT, after celebrating Christmas at the top of the Premier League table. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz could move to the Arsenal right wing following the injury blow to Bukayo Saka. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg.