Goodwin admits his captain let the side down

JIM GOODWIN last night admitted that Anthony Stewart’s red card in the Viaplay Cup semi- final against Rangers 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 hit off the ball by Kent in a game in which VAR broke down for five minutes – and television replays backed 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.”