Jim Goodwin rues 'clumsy' Hearts penalty gift as Dundee United boss provides verdict on Jambos clash
The Dundee United boss has been left frustrated after Hearts downed his side on their own patch.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been left disappointed in the manner of goals conceded against Hearts in a dramatic 3-2 Jambos victory in the Premiership.
Stuart Findlay headed home twice from corner kicks, after a Lawrence Shankland penalty was cancelled out by Ivan Dolcek’s double, maintaining Derek McInnes’ 100% record as head coach so far. For United, they remain on a point after two games with Falkirk and the Jambos, juggling domestic matters with endeavours in Conference League qualifying.
They face Rapid Vienna at Tannadice on Thursday in the second leg of their their third round qualifier. What frustrated Goodwin most in the defeat to Hearts was how his side conceded, all three goals coming from dead ball situations. In particular, Iurie Iovu’s tackle for the foul in which he went to ground grappling alongside Findlay for Shankland to fire home from 12 yards drew the ire of his manager.
Jim Goodwin on Dundee United vs Hearts
The Irishman said: “The goals that we conceded were really disappointing. The penalty is just really clumsy. You give the referee a decision to make in that situation, so we just need to stay at our feet. Then Findlay scored from two corners. We need to take more responsibility in those situations.
“We need to do our jobs in those moments. If you get carved open from open play and the team you’re playing scores some great goals, you can accept it. But it’s a penalty and two corner kicks that won the game.
“I think over the whole piece we probably would have been really pleased with the point. The second half we didn't offer a great deal going forward. Hearts dominated the ball but I'm sure that's understandable from everybody that's at the game. Given the situation that we're in with seven big players out this afternoon, we've got very little in the way of being able to rotate the squad and freshen things up.”
Conference League ambition
Attentions now turn to the clash with Austrian opposition, where other Scottish clubs will hope for Dundee United progress to top up the coefficient for future European campaigns. Goodwin added via club media: “The supporters in Vienna were incredible. There weren’t many empty seats in the stadium (on Sunday).
“The supporters are with us and it’s important that us as a group we keep them with us throughout the course of the campaign, by showing the level of commitment that we showed (on Sunday) and on Thursday in Vienna. That’s all I think supporters ever want to see from their team. Thursday night will be no different.
“We have to work hard behind the scenes now to make sure that we get the boys recovered in time. It’s not going to be a great change to the squad that we have just now, I don’t think. Obviously, Watters hopefully will come back into it and Ferry will come back into it. But the longer-term ones, that’s going to remain the same. We have to work hard on the players. They’re all really excited and looking forward to the game, obviously.”