Kevin van Veen ‘wants’ Scotland transfer return as Premiership clubs on alert

Kevin van Veen has put Premiership clubs on transfer alert as he wants a return to Scotland after his Kilmarnock loan ended.

The big Dutchman spent the second half of last season on loan at Rugby Park but didn’t have the impact he would have wanted, many of his 13 appearances coming from the bench and scoring just one goal. It was a far cry from his previous heroics at Motherwell, his 29-goal season earning him his move to Groningen.

Van Veen failed to settle back in his homeland despite scoring five goals in 14 league games. With his partner giving birth in Scotland, he wanted a return and attracted a lot of interest in January, including from his former club and St Mirren, but it was Derek McInnes and Killie who won the race to sign him on loan.

It didn’t go according to plan, and the Ayrshire side have opted not to try and extend the deal for next season. But the Daily Record is now reporting the 33-year-old does want to come back to Scottish football.

One stumbling block could be his wages at Gronignen automatically going up after their promotion back to the top flight, and his salary was already reported as being too big for some Scottish sides in the last window. He still has two years on his deal but the Eredivisie side will listen to offers.

Rangers have previously been linked, both before his exit from Motherwell and return to Scotland, while Hearts and Hibs were also mentioned as potential destinations. But the only concrete interest seemed to come from Killie, Saints and Well.