The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
United boss thinks red card Saint could have been dismissed earlier
Jim Goodwin watched Adama Sidibeh earn two red cards – then insisted the St Johnstone hothead was lucky not to be dismissed even earlier.
Dundee United emerged from a feisty Tayside tussle with a 2-0 victory, with Luca Stephenson scoring his maiden senior goal before Jack Sanders headed into his own net.
And things went from bad to worse for the Perth side when Sidibeh was given his marching orders by referee Don Robertson, picking up a second yellow card after catching Will Ferry with an arm.
But Goodwin reckons an earlier push on Declan Gallagher – sending him barrelling into United keeper Jack Walton – and a later clash with the Tangerines No 1 as they both sought to reach a cross were worthy of cautions.
“He (Sidibeh) had one in the first half when Jack (Walton) was coming to collect an easy ball and he pushed Declan Gallagher into him,” said Goodwin.
“In the second half, he caused another unnecessary collision and was lucky to not get a second yellow for that. It was dangerous. I didn’t think he had any chance of getting on the ball.
“It was ridiculous, really dangerous from the St Johnstone player. Jack was always favourite and it was fortunate they didn’t clash heads. It could have been a lot more serious.”
After players from both sides came together following the Ferry incident, Robertson gave Sidibeh a second red when Kevin Holt was left on the ground.
Saints manager Craig Levein hadn’t been given the opportunity to watch any of the incidents back, but he will now need to do without the 26-yearold for several weeks.
“I need to have a look at it and work out exactly what’s gone on,” said Levein.
“Someone downstairs said he got two yellows and a red, but I don’t know about that yet and will need to establish what’s happened.
“If that’s the case he’s silly. He’s probably got himself a three or fourgame suspension.
“I don’t know exactly what the total of cards he got was yet, we’ll have to find that out.”