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, he believes he can play against good players. I watch him in training every day and he does it.
“I have watched him in games and even playing against good defenders and good players he backs himself to do well in those games. He is a massive asset to us and we back him to continue doing that over the next 10 games or so.”
Well’s 20-year record against Rangers WON’T be mentioned in Kettlewell’s preparations in the final 24 hours before kick off. Rather he wants to focus on the positives of a month that’s delivered three wins and a draw from four games.
A 2-0 win at Celtic Park as Ross County boss - the Staggies’ first ever at Parkhead - gives him belief that the Old Firm can be beaten. And he knows much of what went right that day has to be replicated tomorrow. He said: “It was a disciplined performance and we took our opportunities.
“We handled the ball well and that’s what you need to do. Any time you play against international players and top teams there needs to be a mental strength. You can’t get too anxious or jump from your shape when it’s not on. Rangers will pick you off for fun. The results against Rangers tell you it’s a massive task. I don’t think I’ll be referencing that to the players too much.
“But you have to be realistic. You could nail your game plan but against their level it can still come up short. You have to be aggressive with and without the ball but there has to be a discipline there so you’re not running out of position or getting anxious if you’ve not seen the ball for a minute and a half.”
Kettlewell and Beale are no strangers having spent time on coaching courses together. And the Well boss is a huge admirer of the man he reckons will make Rangers a strong force again.
He said: “I’ve been on a course and listened to Michael before. He is really impressive how he comes across, his ideas on coaching and management.
“He is somebody I can see making Rangers stronger and stronger. Most people you speak to will say Michael is one of the top coaches about.”
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