Jim Goodwin paid tribute to the man who sacked him at Aberdeen as he prepares for Dundee United debut AGAINST the Dons at Tannadice tonight.
Goodwin is delighted Dave Cormack is on the mend from heart surgery - even joking that the run of results that ended in the axe may have contributed to the owner’s health issues. Goodwin admitted. “I messaged Dave because we left on good terms. I was grateful to him for giving me the opportunity and believing in me in the first place.
“I was really sorry to hear I’d caused it with the results up at Aberdeen! Listen, I’m not making lighthearted out of a very serious situation and I’m glad that he’s had the attention and care he needed. He’s on the other side of the surgery now, he’s back home and on the road to recovery. I wish him nothing but the best, both in his recovery back to full health and in football.
“If ever a man deserves success in football it’s him because of the personal investment he’s made. He really does care about the club up there, he’s extremely passionate and is as big a fan as any of the season ticket holders who walk through the gates.”
Goodwin believes he can unlock the real Jamie McGrath at United. The Irishman got the best out of his fellow countryman in their time at St Mirren.
Goodwin tried to get him to Aberdeen earlier in the season but lost out to the Terrors but now they are united again. The United boss said: “Jamie is one player that I know inside out, having brought him from Ireland over the St Mirren.
“He’s a terrifically talented player, technically one of the best I’ve ever worked with. He’s been unfortunate with some of the injuries that’s meant he’s not been able to get any consistency to his play.
“He wants to get back involved with the international team with Ireland as well and the only way to do that is by putting in good consistent performances on a match day.”
United have goalkeeping issues but Goodwin has backed under-fire Mark Birighitti. Goodwin claimed: “There have obviously been a couple of key moments in games where his mistakes have led to goals against, which unfortunately for goalkeepers tends to be the case.
“But he came here to Dundee United with a really good pedigree and I don’t think he’s become a bad keeper overnight. I do think confidence has played a part.
“I’ve got some hard calls to make that are maybe going to upset one or two but it’s in everyone’s best interests that I put the strongest XI on the pitch.”
United have agreed a move for out-of-contract DC United keeper Bill Hamid but that has been delayed. Goodwin confirmed: “There are one or two visa issues, but I would expect in the next seven to 10 days to have a bit more information.”
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