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Ben Banks

Motherwell striker makes Premiership top scorer claim as he stands ready to step up after star's Dundee United move

Motherwell striker Kevin Van Veen says he and his teammates can replace the goals scored by Tony Watt - but he feels he could already be top of the Premiership's scoring pile.

The Dutchman has scored seven goals from 13 league starts this season but is still hurt by the chances he's missed this term.

Tony Watt has departed Fir Park after his nine goals in the league this season made him top scorer for the Fir Park club and it leaves a void in attack for manager Graham Alexander.

Watt may be at Dundee United now, but Van Veen reckons Jordan Roberts' goal in the midweek Premiership defeat to Ross County shows the type of ability Motherwell still have.

He said: “Obviously he will be missed but we have to move on too and we have a lot of good players in the squad to fill his boots.

“On Tuesday we got an amazing goal from Jordan Roberts and there is a lot more of those type of players.

“It’s for other players to step up now and I think we have the quality to do so. Goals have been coming from all over the team.

Alexander says he'll consider adding to his squad but says there isn't a lot wrong (SNS Group)

“I would like to score a lot more and I don’t know if I am going to score more because he’s left – because we linked up well.

“I hope not only myself but other players in the team will step up and score goals because people are going to get a chance in his position.”

Van Veen has his heart set on his own personal improvement - although he's happy to chip in with other aspects of play. That said, he feels he should top the league's scoring charts.

He said ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Championship side Morton: “I feel there is a lot still to improve and even develop.

"If I really want to be critical then I do think I could already be top scorer in the league if I finished some chances I had.

“I wish I finished them because I’m the type of player who wants to achieve the best and be up there for my team. If I score more it means I am helping my team win games.

“I really find now with the age I am that I want to be important for my team-mates.

“It’s not all about scoring, it’s more about the work ethic and being important for my team-mates with assists and trying to be the best I can for my team. My ability and scoring goals will always show through.

“I want to be up there for my own sake and if I do that it means I am helping the team too because if I score goals it means we are going to win games.”

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