JIM Goodwin last night admitted that Ant Stewart’s red card in the Viaplay Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden had left Aberdeen in a “very difficult” situation.
But Goodwin refused to protest about a controversial incident involving Pittodrie defender Liam Scales and Ibrox winger Ryan Kent shortly after his team was reduced to 10 men.
The Irishman admitted that his captain Stewart had deserved to be red carded by referee Nick Walsh for a foul on Fashion Sakala in injury-time in a game his side lost 2-1 after extra-time.
"My initial reaction was that he was in trouble,” he said. “We have no arguments. I think the official has got it right.
“It was a poor decision from Anthony unfortunately. He probably should have stayed on his feet and jockeyed the player.
“He left his team mates in a very difficult situation, going down to 10 men against a good Rangers team.
"But, in fairness to the 10 guys that stayed on, they gave their all and stuck at it and right through extra-time we were very much in the game.
"It's an extremely difficult one to take but at the same time there is a sense of pride in terms of what the players have given us.”
Scales felt that he was punched off the ball by Kent in a game in which VAR broke down for five minutes – and television replays appeared to back up his claim.
But Goodwin said: "I don't think it's a major talking point. I saw the incident and I don't think there was a great deal in it.”
Asked about VAR breaking down, Goodwin said: "It was just a technical issue. I think that can happen at any stage in any country in the world.”
Goodwin echoed the sentiments of his Rangers counterpart Michael Beale when he expressed his unhappiness at the state of the Hampden pitch.
"I'm not making excuses,” he said. “I thought Rangers were slightly better than us. But the pitch for me and the players was a major disappointment
"I was surprised. I know there was torrential rain on Saturday, but a national stadium pitch should have a bit more resilience than that. I don't think it suited either team.
"We are trying to market our game and showcase it on live TV all over the world and want to be showing ourselves in a good light. I don't think a surface like that helps and it has an impact on the pace of the game.
“You are asking players before the game not to take risks because of the state of it. Every time the ball went back to the goalkeeper your heart was in your mouth because you are not sure which way the ball is going to bounce from one second to the next.”
