Kevin Van Veen is closing in on a brand new Motherwell deal - and Graham Alexander hopes the striker can provide his fan membership double cause to have a good time by firing the membership into Europe.
The Dutch ace has grow to be a Fir Park favorite together with his talismanic shows in a 10-goal season.
His return from suspension is completely timed as Motherwell head right into a make-or-break week for his or her European ambitions with this afternoon’s journey to Ross County providing the possibility to leap the Staggies into the final Euro spot in fifth.
Alexander’s relationship with Van Veen from his time at Scunthorpe helped lure the 6ft 1in frontman north from the The Iron final summer time.
And he mentioned: “Kevin has a 12 months left on his deal however we had a quick chat a couple of weeks in the past about trying to prolong that.
“We agreed to get via to the break up after which sit down correctly. We don’t need him to enter subsequent season going into his final 12 months.
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“He has loved his soccer after a troublesome couple of years with damage. We gave him a spot the place he's trusted and liked and he has responded to that.
“His high quality is undoubted. Coming to us has ticked off the issues we spoke about final summer time, the profile of taking part in for Motherwell and a number of the grounds and groups we play in opposition to.
“I don’t misinform gamers and he has seen what we spoke about was true and he's in a great place.
“A giant factor for him is being revered within the dressing room and the boys love him and that’s vital for Kev.
“The place he has performed in England you don’t get to play in main cup finals, play in Europe or play in entrance of fifty,000 or 60,000.
“I knew with the standard he has he could be pretty much as good as anybody. He has to have consistency and he is aware of that.
“Not having him for the final two video games was troublesome together with his suspension. I don’t know if he deserved 12 bookings however he's again.
“Europe is in our personal palms and we might moderately be on this place than taking part in lifeless rubbers.
“I believe this season has been successful being within the high six however we might be unambitious to chase the following prize.
“It's proper there for us and it’s an thrilling place to be in.”
For Properly to do this they’ll must vastly enhance on a run of only one win in 15 league video games - stretching again to their final go to to Dingwall which resulted in a 3-1 defeat.
Alexander mentioned: “We knew when it was going nicely we might have a interval that was powerful and also you all the time have that at a membership like this.
“We didn’t need it to be this lengthy however we have now progressed and nobody can deny that since final January.
“We're growing younger gamers right here and they're the longer term for us.
“Within the final 16 months we have now moved on and I consider it is going to proceed.”
Ahead Ross Tierney is determined to clinch a return to European soccer after his Convention League exploits with Bohemians final summer time noticed the Dubliners knock out Stjarnan and Dundelange earlier than giving Greek giants PAOK an almighty fright.
He mentioned: “The primary sport was in Iceland in opposition to Stjarnan and we acquired a really feel for it. We went via which was unbelievable after which we beat Dudelange.
“I scored the winner in Luxembourg which was nice then we got here up in opposition to PAOK.
“PAOK got here to Eire pondering it was going to be a walkover however we beat them 2-1. It was unimaginable. However we knew we’d be up in opposition to it going over there.
“It was through the heatwave which didn’t assist. It was 7.30pm at night time and it was 32 levels. However UEFA wouldn’t allow us to get water breaks because it needed to be 35 levels.
“The ambiance was one thing else and simply taking part in in opposition to Shinji Kagawa, Nelson Oliviera and participant like that was unbelievable.
“Final season was first rate and I wish to get extra European soccer underneath my belt."
In the meantime, Alexander reckons Rangers Euro success will profit all Premiership golf equipment of their switch dealings.
Motherwell performed a small half in Gers semi closing success by transferring their match ahead 24 hours forward of the primary leg in opposition to RB Leipzig.
And boss Alexander mentioned: “I’ve not had a textual content but for transferring the primary sport however significantly it’s our first duty to do what is true to assist Scottish soccer.
“Our sport will get knocked a bit so it’s good for our golf equipment to do nicely in Europe and our league to look robust.
“It helps us appeal to audiences, finance and higher gamers, so everybody advantages from it.
“We've gone to Ibrox twice and drawn twice whereas huge European groups have been turned over there.
“These wee issues can assist if you end up promoting the membership to potential gamers.
“For Rangers to get to a European closing stands the sport in good and hopefully they'll win the ultimate.”