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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy McGilvray

Motherwell 'deserved' Killie win, but boss wanted second goal sooner

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says his side deserved their 2-0 Premiership win over Kilmarnock, but would prefer the second goal to have come earlier.

Blair Spittal got the Steelmen off and running in four minutes, with Kevin van Veen bagging the 25th goal of an incredible season in the last minute.

Kettlewell's side had several other chances, with Sam Walker making a string of top saves to deny them further goals, as they moved to within two points of seventh-placed Livingston.

He said: "It was another good win for us. Kilmarnock had bits in the game, we knew they would but based on chances created, I think their goalkeeper has had an outstanding day with a couple of massive stops, and Paul McGinn misses one from about two yards, which might haunt him.

"In general, when you look at the offside goal and things like that, I think we created a number of chances in the game, so I think we deserved it.

"We would maybe have liked that second goal to come a wee bit earlier, just to calm nerves, but it pays testament to the players - how they approached the game, dealt with everything we knew would come our way.

Kevin van Veen sealed the win with a second goal in the last minute (SNS Group)

"But how we tried to execute our game-plan going the opposite way, in areas that we felt we could exploit.

"I can only ask what they deliver, and it's another home win and a clean sheet for us."

Van Veen hit the headlines with an offside goal before clinching the win in the last minute of normal time, and Kettlewell isn't surprised.

He said: "It's a moment of brilliance, the goal, the second goal is excellent. The first goal as well is really good in a number of ways, but the ball from Liam Kelly, the touch from Kevin, is excellent.

Van Veen celebrates his 25th goal of a remarkable season (SNS Group)

"He had a moment in the first half when he chops inside with some sort of Cruyff, when the ball comes down with snow on it, which was pretty amazing as well, and he got fouled.

"We know he's capable, I know you guys all know he's capable as well, and sometimes it's not just about the player, but the person, and I thought he handled himself absolutely brilliantly.

"We know there's plenty of hype, and talk about him, and it's very easy just to think players are robots and can churn things out.

"I'm more delighted with the person today, than the player."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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