Motherwell striker Kevin Van Veen claims Aberdeen captain Scott Brown was aiming to send him for an early bath - but he rose above the Pittodrie boos to inspire his team to victory.
The Dutchman netted a brace as Graham Alexander's side won 2-0 at Pittodrie on Saturday. Van Veen played a large part of the Premiership match on a yellow card as the Steelmen reached the league's fifth spot.
He is now suspended for Motherwell's next match after the international break against Hearts, but the goalscorer says Brown wanted him off after his first half yellow.
Van Veen explained: “In the game, Aberdeen are good opposition and play good football. The first half I was thinking how can we score or break them down.
“It took some well-disciplined performances from all of us to keep pressing them and pushing them and eventually it paid off with two good goals. We saw it out and I am very happy it worked out like that.
“He is who he is. 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. He tried to get me sent off.
“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. I am just happy we got the three points. He tried to get a reaction out of me.
“He was pulling my shirt and punching me in the back as well. He was trying to turn around and push me over for a second yellow. I didn’t want to let my teammates down and I managed to rise above it."
Van Veen doesn't think referees in Scotland have taken too kindly to him since his arrival from Scunthorpe in the summer: “I am now suspended because of that foul and it was very harsh for me.
“I just miss one game so taking the three points makes up for it. I have six or seven starts and six yellows. I don’t think the refs like me too much.
"They need to get used to my style of play. It is something for me to work on.”
The Motherwell striker was then booed off at Pittodrie, outside a loud applause from the travelling support, taking in jeers as he walked almost halfway round the park in front of home fans on his way back to the 'Well bench.
But he had the last laugh.
Fir Park's number nine added: “I love all that stuff. When the Aberdeen fans come at me, let’s have it. I like it. I am made for that. I like the intensity of games.
"I also like it when it is toxic and vile because it triggers me better into games.
"I like it and I think my teammates like it as well, especially when you win 2-0.
“We shhhed them. They were all saying some stuff to me. It is part and parcel of the game, there were some nasty things said but I was just smiling.
"You try and stand above it. I didn’t take it to heart and we ended up winning 2-0 so I am the winner.”
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