Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin praised young defender Luca Stephenson after he bounced back from a late penalty mistake against Motherwell to earn a spot-kick in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Kilmarnock.
Stephenson, penalised for a late tackle on Moses Ebiye in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final defeat on September 20, showcased resilience at Rugby Park.
He assisted Louis Moult for the opening goal and drew a foul from Kilmarnock’s Fraser Murray in stoppage time, securing a crucial point for United.
Despite leading 1-0 at half-time, the Tayside outfit fell behind 3-1 as David Watson scored twice and Marley Watkins added another.
However, Craig Sibbald’s long-range effort reignited their hopes, and Ross Graham equalised in the ninth minute of added time to send the away end wild.
And Goodwin is delighted the on-loan Liverpool starlet didn't let his previous error affect him.
Read more:
- Rangers boss baffled by Hibs penalty call & hits out at inconsistency
- SPFL has highest attendance per capita, study confirms
“With the penalty, it’s clever from Luca Stephenson to get himself goal side of the Kilmarnock defender, who is ball watching a bit and there is contact with his left calf which leads to the penalty," the Irishman said.
“Stephenson held his hands up in the dressing room after that rash decision at Fir Park last weekend (to give away a penalty). Nobody in their career has probably done it as much as I have so I have every sympathy for him but he’s man enough to own up to it.
“The players and the staff all got round him and picked his head up and he showed a positive reaction today. We’ve got to remember the boy’s age as well and where he’s come from. He’s had a great education at Liverpool and we’re hoping to continue that.
“He’ll learn from situations like that and games like today are important moments in all the players’ careers as well.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here