KEVIN VAN VEEN’S smile told the story of Motherwell’s joy that they were back on track with an important 2-0 victory over Aberdeen, but his insistence that Dons skipper Scott Brown attempted to have him sent off, raised eyebrows in the Pittodrie media room.

The Dutchman’s two strikes, expertly taken in a seven-minute period early in the second half, underlined his energy and enthusiasm, despite carrying a caution from the 22nd minute for a robust challenge on Dylan McGeouch as the Fir Park side took the game to their hosts.

Yet, as referee Don Robertson almost kept one hand on his yellow card during this very physical encounter, Van Veen did not hold back as he and Brown battled for every ball with the striker claiming his opponent tried to push him towards another booking.

“He is who he is,” he said. “He tried to get me sent off. I kept a cool head.

“Only once I pushed him, but that was because he was blocking me.

“I knew what he was trying to do and I had to stand above it.

“He has played at the very highest level and is a good player. He tried to get a reaction out of me. He was pulling my shirt and punching me in the back as well.

“I didn’t want to let my teammates down and I managed to rise above it.”

Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s Ryan Hedges was coy about where his future lies when his contract concludes in the summer and is free, from January, to talk with other clubs, which might include Blackburn Rovers, who failed with a £500,000 transfer bid this year.

“It’s nice to be wanted and have clubs looking at you,” was the party line, “but my whole focus is here and now.”