Rangers-linked Kevin van Veen officially makes his return to Scottish football by coming off the bench for Kilmarnock v Motherwell.
In a controversial return to the nation’s game, the 32-year-old Dutch forward replaced Marley Watkins late on in the 1-1 draw at Rugby Park.
Having made his name in Scottish football at Motherwell, Kevin van Veen moved to Groningen in the summer against the backdrop of links to Rangers.
And it was against his former club – who were reportedly priced out of the running before the striker’s deadline day switch to Kilmarnock – that Van Veen made his return to the game.
Kevin van Veen claimed Rangers wanted him
Rangers have been linked to Kevin van Veen over the last year or so after the striker’s explosive spell with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
Formerly of Northampton Town and Scunthorpe United, Van Veen netted 40 goals across two seasons in Lanarkshire and wound up attracting interest from the Netherlands.
After a disastrous six months back home on the European mainland, Kevin van Veen wound up in the Dutch second tier side’s reserves before signing with Kilmarnock on deadline day.
But – according to the striker himself – this might’ve been very different had Rangers actually realised reported Ibrox interest.
Despite sources close to the Ibrox side eventually rubbishing the claims, Van Veen claimed that he’d been assured there was “definitely interest in me from Rangers”.
Rangers looked elsewhere for striker transfer
Whilst there’s been much made about the striker position at Rangers, it’s hard to imagine that now-Kilmarnock striker Kevin van Veen was a legitimate target.
The Dutch attacker might be proven at Premiership level but playing with the Gers certainly requires a greater expectation and there were clear doubts the forward could reach them.
Rangers meanwhile moved for £35m Wolves talent Fabio Silva, who alongside Cyriel Dessers is tasked with leading the line at Ibrox.
Manager Philippe Clement has hinted that Kemar Roofe still has a role to play this season, whilst Danilo will be lucky to make a tangible impact on the campaign.
All four are arguably better options than Kevin van Veen but perhaps Rangers might live to rue turning their noses up when they face Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock side this season.
