Kevin Van Veen on why he joined Kilmarnock

Kevin Van Veen says working with Derek McInnes sold him on a move to Kilmarnock.

The striker penned a deal to sign with the Ayrshire side on loan until the end of the season from FC Groningen, and it was the Rugby Park boss who was influential in sealing the deal.

He opted to move back to Scotland to be closer to his six-week-old daughter and a number of clubs were vying for his signature.

After a dramatic deadline day he decided Ayrshire was the best place to play his football, and setting up a potential debut at Fir Park against Motherwell where he scored 29 goals last season.

He told the club’s website: “I am delighted to be here, after a busy time it’s good to get the deal done, I am looking forward to the rest of the season.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to come back to Scotland, the reason I came back was because my daughter is Scottish which is why I wanted to return because it was tough being away from her.

“A couple of teams were fighting against each other about where I am going to be, I spoke to Derek McInnes and what he said was good.

“My gut feeling was that I’d like working under him, I followed my feeling so I decided to sign for Kilmarnock.

“Kilmarnock are having a good season, hopefully I can add some firepower to keep us there or go even higher if that’s possible.

“I am hoping to finish off the season in style with Kilmarnock.”

When asked if he was hoping to build on his 29-goal season with Motherwell and keep his 11-game scoring streak in Scotland going, he added: “Yeah scoring 29 goals was a good season, even if I start now it will keep my run of 11 games in a row in Scotland going.

“I would like to do the same as I did last year, I’d like to replicate that, but most importantly I want to be good for my teammates and I want to play exciting football and get people off their seats.”