Blair Spittal knows people will label Motherwell as a one-man team... and doesn’t care.
Kevin van Veen was again their hero on Saturday as his late penalty strike gave them a 1-0 home win over Ross County.
That provided another record for the Dutchman, taking his scoring record to nine consecutive games, and putting him one away from equaling that set by Celtic hero Mark Viduka back in 2000.
It also gave Motherwell three wins in a row for the first time in this campaign, and equalled last season’s points tally of 46, with two games to go.
The goal also took van Veen’s season total to an incredible 27.
Blair Spittal is the nearest marksman at the club with five, and hopes they can keep hold of their 31-year-old talisman.
As they prepare for a visit to Livingston tomorrow night ahead of the season finale against Dundee United at Fir Park, Spittal said: “In the dressing room afterwards he was keen to tell us he’s broken another record.
“Folk will probably look upon us as a one-man team, but we don’t mind.
“Kevin knows better and we feel we have threats from all over the pitch.
“While we have him there to stick them away just now, there will be openings for the rest of us as well.
“I hope we can [keep hold of him]. Kevin deserves all the plaudits he’s getting, and he’s brilliant to play with.
“We’re going into games now just knowing he’s going to score.
“He will probably be a bit upset about some of the ones he didn’t do better with against County, but that’s just his character.
“He managed to get the one that counted eventually and, hopefully, he will get a few more in these last two matches.
“He doesn’t let misses get to him – he knows we have the players in the side who will create more chances for him.
“It was a penalty in this case, but that’s how it goes.”
Spittal twice set up van Veen with gilt-edged chances before a penalty clincher inside 12 minutes of stoppage time.
It was a controversial game, with referee Euan Anderson awarding County a spot-kick in 48 minutes after Connor Randall was upended by Callum Butcher inside the box.
However, VAR Willie Collum invited him to take another look and, as is often the case, it was rescinded as Butcher got a touch on the ball.
It was a similar case with the last-gasp penalty, as Keith Watson handling the ball in the box prevented sub Jon Obika from getting a shot away.
To make matters worse, County’s Owura Edwards was sent off for a second booking inside stoppage time.
Spittal had some sympathy, but says that’s the game, now.
He said: “I don’t know what you’re meant to do with your arms anymore.
“But it is a penalty, going by the rules.
“I’ve seen it back and it hits Keith’s hand. It’s unfortunate, but you have to make your luck, and that one has gone for us.”
Boss Stuart Kettlewell had insisted his side wouldn’t down tools now that they’re safe, and they had to dig deep for the win that put seventh-place ‘Well a point clear of nearest rivals Livingston with two games remaining of the Premiership campaign.
He said: “Kevin was cool, but his penalties haven’t been the greatest, recently.
“I didn’t know what we were going to get, but he showed his class and his composure, and it gets us a really valuable three points.
“It’s an amazing record, but it’s not just about Kev scoring goals.
“We need to provide a foundation behind him, and that is three clean sheets in a row for us.”
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