Ross County defender Kenny van der Weg has credited fellow Dutchman and long-time friend Alex Schalk with helping him get up to speed with the lingo in the Staggies’ dressing room.
Van der Weg joined County from Dutch side NAC Breda in the summer, where he had previously played alongside attacker Schalk prior to the latter’s loan move to Jong PSV in 2014, and eventual permanent move to Go Ahead Eagles later that year.
After being reunited with Schalk, the left back says his former team-mate has been crucial in helping him overcome the language barrier and make the transition from the Dutch lifestyle to a vivacious Scottish team atmosphere.
Van der Weg said: “My English is OK but not so good, but Alex has helped me with some things I was not finding easy. It’s been good for me.
“I played a long time with him. We played together in the youth academy at NAC Breda, so I’ve known him about 10 years. I was always good with him and now we play together again.
“I like the guys, they are very good and they help me with everything. For me there is a good feeling and it’s a home for me.
“In Holland everybody makes jokes, but here some people are so crazy. That is a good feeling for me, I like that.
“Sometimes we will go for a drink and have fun but I have to settle my way in, as my girlfriend is here. I have to help her as she wants to see everything.”
Van der Weg admits it has also taken him time to adapt to the fitness demands of Scottish football, with the 25-year-old adding: “It’s very different from Holland. We run a lot here. In Holland, everything was technical with the ball and when I came here in the first weeks it was heavy.
“We ran a lot – I was so tired in pre-season. I was sleeping every day. After that, my body felt quite different. I had pain everywhere, but now I feel better. It’s OK now and I feel good. But in the beginning it was a change from Holland to here.”
Van der Weg has been forced to be patient in recent weeks, having not played since being substituted in the first-half of County’s opening day 3-1 loss against Dundee, but he is eager to regain his place in the team.
He added: “I’ve worked hard but the manager has made a tactical decision I’ve had to accept. Now it’s up to me, I will work hard and let him see that I want to play. That’s all I can do now.”
