Lunny to study Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United display

Goodwin was substituted by manager Danny Lennon before half-time in what looked a preventative measure to stop his skipper being sent off in their 4-1 win over Jackie McNamara’s young side. Goodwin’s apparent first-half forearm smash on United midfielder Stuart Armstrong went unpunished by referee Bobby Madden prior to his replacement. However, it is now understood that compliance officer Lunny is preparing to examine footage of that first-half flashpoint of Thursday’s Premiership encounter which could land Goodwin in hot water.

In an unusual move, United even posted footage of a clip of the incident to back up McNamara’s claim that Madden should have acted before Saints were able to take their captain off.

McNamara said: “I spoke to Danny Lennon after the game. He thinks Jim (Goodwin) gets singled out for certain things, but I think he singles himself out. His challenge on Stuart with his arm was naughty. I don’t want to see people sent off and it doesn’t change anything from the game. But I want to see the right decisions being made.”

United defender Gavin Gunning was hammered with a three-match ban back in September when he lost his hearing for kicking out against Celtic star Virgil van Dijk in a league match at Tannadice.

David van Zanten, who was sent on to replace Goodwin, who was already on a booking after flattening John Rankin, defended his skipper and does not believe Goodwin will go any easier against the Hearts players when the Tynecastle side visit tomorrow.

“Can Jim curb his aggressive streak? Probably not,” he joked. “He’s an Irish warrior and he’s got that characteristic in him. It’s not easy when you get an early booking like Jim did against United.

“It’s tough when you know you can’t make any more fouls and you have to watch what you are doing. But he responded to being taken off in the best way possible.”