Jim Goodwin has shot down Lee Johnson’s criticism of the Premier Sports Cup format and accused the Hibs boss of disrespect.
Johnson took aim at the organisers after his side bowed out in shambolic style to Morton and claimed playing it so early in the season made no sense and “almost degrades the competition”. Hibs were sent packing in Group G after a shock defeat to Falkirk and a draw and subsequent penalties loss to Morton.
Their misery was compounded when they were subsequently fined and docked points for playing the suspended Rocky Bushiri against Morton after the defender had picked up two bookings in earlier group games. But Aberdeen boss Goodwin, speaking ahead of this afternoon’s clash with Raith Rovers, reckons criticism of the July 9 start date is wide of the mark and claimed Johnson might have taken a different view had his side progressed.
He said: “I like the format. Financially for all the clubs it’s great to have competitive football back so early because it’s difficult to get supporters along to friendlies. I understand Lee Johnson’s comments in that if you are a new manager and you’re coming in later and don’t quite have all your transfer business done then you are in the lap of the Gods in terms of what kind of squad you inherit.
“But I’ve enjoyed it at Alloa, St Mirren and here at Aberdeen, we have got off to a good start. I suppose if Lee had had some better results he’d probably be talking differently.
“I always think it’s a bit disrespectful to the sponsors to talk the competition down like that. It’s a very important domestic cup competition for us. We got to the semi final a couple of years ago with St Mirren and I would like to go one step further with Aberdeen. But I wouldn’t be looking to change it.”
Meanwhile Goodwin has revealed the reason behind switching dug outs at Pittodrie this season - to stop visiting managers getting in the assistant referee’s ear. He told BBC Sportsound: “The officials are on that side and I feel the opposition could influence the linesman far too often. It happened last season and has already happened this season. I’d rather look after the officials on that side going forward.”
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