Raging Dundee United Boss Jim Goodwin Insists Soft Penalty Cost His Side Dear
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin expressed his frustration and disappointment following his side’s 1-1 draw to Kilmarnock, insisting that a “soft” penalty awarded to the hosts proved costly for his team. Goodwin, visibly upset after the match, criticized the decision by referee Don Robertson to award Kilmarnock a penalty in the second half, which ultimately led to the draw of the game.
The incident occurred in the 60th minute when Dundee United defender Kieran Freeman was adjudged to have fouled Kilmarnock forward Chris Burke inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot after a brief moment of deliberation, much to the dismay of Goodwin and his players. Burke stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, giving Kilmarnock the lead.
Goodwin wasted no time in addressing the penalty decision during his post-match interview. The United boss made it clear that he felt the decision was harsh and unjust. “It’s a soft penalty. I’ve seen it again, and I really don’t know what Kieran Freeman is supposed to do. It’s incredibly frustrating because we had control of the game at that point,” Goodwin said.
The manager went on to emphasize that he believed the penalty call shifted the momentum of the match and ultimately decided the outcome. “We were in the ascendancy, playing well, creating chances. Then, to have a decision like that go against you, it’s hard to take. The players are gutted, and I am too. It’s tough to come away from a game like this without at least a point,” Goodwin added.
The draw left Dundee United with more questions than answers, particularly in terms of their defensive solidity and discipline. Despite the controversial penalty, Goodwin remained resolute in his belief that his team had shown enough quality to earn something from the match. He pointed to United’s inability to take their chances, as well as the unfortunate timing of the penalty, as factors that contributed to their downfall.
While Goodwin’s frustration with the penalty decision was clear, he also acknowledged the need for his team to improve. “We can’t allow one bad decision to define our performance. We need to move on quickly and focus on the next game,” he concluded.
The draw marks another setback for Dundee United in their quest to climb up the Scottish Premiership table, with Goodwin now facing the challenge of rallying his team ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
