Jim Goodwin has revealed he has had an apology from Aberdeen after he claimed he was hit by coins and missiles following their fiery Tannadice clash.
The Dundee United boss confirmed that key individuals at the Dons had reached out to say sorry after the fallout from Saturday night. Goodwin said he was hit by a coin and drinks were thrown at him from a minority of the Red Army behind his dugout. Aberdeen have since issued a statement and are now in dialogue with United and the authorities to try and pinpoint the culprits.
Goodwin said: “Aberdeen have reached out. I have had a couple of messages from key individuals up there apologising. They are as disappointed as I am. It is only a small few, I don’t want to label the entire Aberdeen support with that. It is a handful of individuals who felt the need to do that. I have never experienced that type of thing. It was a different circumstance, the throwing of the coins, the cup of juice and things were said that were a little bit nasty. It was strange.
“Hopefully, they get to the bottom of it, find out who was involved. We don’t want that to be involved in football.”
The Irishman accepted that results didn’t go the way anybody wanted at Aberdeen but he has been left surprised by the reaction of a select few of the Dons support.
He said: “What happened during the game doesn’t change my feelings towards Aberdeen as a football club. I was well treated when I was there and had good backing.
“It was a difficult one for me because I don’t know what merited or warranted that type of thing. I never said a bad thing about Aberdeen during my time there or when I left. As far as I am concerned it didn’t work out the way I would have liked but I left on good terms with everyone.”
Goodwin’s full focus is on getting United off the bottom and is well aware tomorrow night’s game in hand at Livingston is vital.
There were signs of improvement in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Aberdeen but the manager knows they need to show more quality at both ends of the pitch. Captain Ryan Edwards has come in for some flak for his part in the loss of recent goals but Goodwin has backed him.
He said: “All players, regardless of whether they are the most experienced or inexperienced, can be knocked for six when they are going through a difficult time There are a number of players in the squad who aren’t quite playing to the level they are capable of.
“That’s why the team finds itself in the position it is in. But Ryan is a big, strong character and was given the captain’s armband for a reason. These things happen – mistakes are made – and when those mistakes lead to goals, it is highlighted even more. That’s been the problem (for United).
“When I look back on results and the number of goals conceded by Dundee United, a lot of it is down to poor decision making from individuals. There are 11 games left and we have to try to ensure those types of individual mistakes are cut out. That’s all we can do.”
The United boss also insisted Steven Fletcher is going to be key for him and his goals can get the team out of trouble.
Goodwin said: “If we can keep Fletch getting into those areas and keep supplying him then I am convinced he will score half-a-dozen goals between now and the end of the season.” Goodwin has revealed US keeper Bill Hamid is now in the country but he will have a look at home before he decides to offer a deal.
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