Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart disagrees with the decision to send off Amar Fatah in Dundee United's 3-0 defeat by Hearts on Saturday.
"I think it's soft. It's not endangering the opponent. Yes it will be sore, but can you imagine if Fatah doesn't challenge for that?
"There are occasions where you will get hurt and that isn't necessarily anyone's fault. A yellow was sufficient."
Watch the best of the action as table-topping Hearts ease to a 3-0 win at Dundee United, who finish with nine men. (Available to UK users only)
We asked for your views on Dundee United's 3-0 defeat against Hearts.
Here's what some of you said:
Ian: Jim Goodwin will hide behind the officials and the decisions, who were poor, but again his own decisions and formation are baffling. The season is just petering out to a relegation battle. We are aimlessly drifting to nothingness. I can't see where the next win is coming from. Pathetic.
Graeme: Our formation and team selections this season have contributed to our poor season. Consistently plays three centre-halves - who have been poor in the main - yet we concede goals every game and are chasing games. Majority of our goals scored are from set-pieces, with outfield goals being individual strikes absent of any team creativity or combinations. The insistence to continue with the formation and fitting players into this - who are not suited - has resulted in a season that started with optimism against Rapid Vienna to now looking like a team in freefall and the players frustration showed against Hearts.
Ross: Tempting as it is to fuel the debate about the important decisions, sadly the picture behind the controversy remains the same. Scottish refereeing is a disgrace, United are a bottom-six side locked in a dogfight until the end of a season where we have been consistently inconsistent. No surprise at all for yet another team to come to Tannadice and boss us all over the park.
Robbie: Week in week out we continue to field a team nowhere near full strength. Key players missing from the starting line-up and now losing Fatah and Camara through suspension is far from ideal. Only takeaway from the game was if it wasn't for the new keeper it could have been six. Other managers have been fed to the chopping block for their use of three at the back, when do we start calling out Goodwin for the same?
Sean: Terrible night for United, only consolation is that Maynard-Brewer looked more than competent and I would hope he helps bring stability at the back which will lead to better results in the future.
David: Goodwin has to go now. His tactics and team selection are abysmal week after week. Clearly out of his depth with not a clue how to fix the issues. Players don't want to play for him and the supporters are starting to stay away.
Crystal Palace are among a number of Premier League clubs tracking 18-year-old Dundee United defender Charlie Dewar. (Football Insider), external
Pierre Landry Kabore's double helped Hearts sweep aside undisciplined nine-man Dundee United and move seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Sportsound: "I don't think the fans are booing our players or the performance.
"I think they're as frustrated as we are. I can't afford a suspension so I have to be really careful with the words I use to describe the officials.
"It's a bad night for us. Absolutely everything that could have gone against us did.
"We'll have to look at the red cards and see if there's any chance of an appeal but I wouldn't hold out hope."
Dundee United have been in protracted talks with Kifisia to sell midfielder Julius Eskesen, but the Greek club could face competition from HamKam and another Norwegian club for the 26-year-old. (The Courier), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, Getty ImagesNew Zealand winger Jesse Randall will join Dundee United on a free transfer this summer when his contract with A-League side Auckland expires.
The 23-year-old has scored 11 goals and assisted four more in 37 appearances for Auckland since signing from Wellington Olympic in 2024 and helped them become A-League premiers last season.
He has agreed a two-year deal at Tannadice, with United also having the option to extend by a further 12 months.
Image source, SNSDundee United are again without Vicko Sevelj (groin) and Isaac Pappoe (knee) but new goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer could be in the squad.
Hearts could hand a debut to Uganda forward Rogers Mato. Beni Baningime is suspended, while Cammy Devlin (ankle), Stephen Kingsley (groin), Lawrence Shankland, Calem Nieuwenhof, Finlay Pollock (all hamstring) and Christian Borchgrevink are out.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSJim Goodwin admits Dundee United have given themselves a "mountain to climb" in their quest for a second successive top-six finish.
United begin a potentially "season-defining couple of weeks" by hosting Premiership leaders Hearts on Saturday night.
The Tannadice men go into the game in eighth - three points behind Aberdeen and eight adrift of sixth-place Falkirk, although with a game in hand on both.
"This is the start of a really busy schedule for us," said manager Goodwin. "We have five games in the next fortnight and it could be a season-defining couple of weeks for us.
"We have to get going now, we are trying to chase down the pack above us in that top six and we have certainly not given up hope on it.
"We know we have given ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb in terms of that gap between us and sixth but it is certainly something we are capable of doing.
"We know how difficult it is going to be because of the form of the likes of Falkirk, who are having a terrific season under John McGlynn, but we have to believe we are capable of doing that."
Inconsistency has been United's main problem this season, a point illustrated by the fact they have yet to win back-to-back domestic games.
They can end that unwanted stat by following up their Scottish Cup win over Ayr with a victory over on-form Hearts, who beat United 3-2 at Tannadice in August with a late winner before a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle in November.
Goodwin said: "We have to believe, like we do going into any game, that we are capable of getting the result we want.
"Hearts are a really good team, Derek McInnes is a fantastic manager at this level and Hearts are deservedly top of the table.
"We know we are going to have to be at our best but we do take confidence from the previous two fixtures and we are going to have to be at that level again if we want to get that result."
Image source, SNSHearts (18) and Dundee United (14) are the top two scoring sides from non-penalty set-pieces in the Scottish Premiership this season. Six of Hearts' past 10 league goals have come from set-pieces (four corners, two free-kicks), while the Tangerines have six of their past eight from set-plays (four corners, two throw-ins).
Only Dundee United (10) have recovered more points from losing positions in the Premiership this season than Hearts (nine), who twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Celtic last time out.
Dundee United have lost their past two league games without scoring, last losing three in a row without reply in the Premiership in December 2021 (run of four).
Hearts have won their past two away games at Dundee United in the top flight, last winning more in a row in the Premiership in October 2000 (run of four).
The side playing away from home has won four of the past five Premiership games between Dundee United and Hearts, although the most recent was a 1-1 draw in November.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDundee United striker Owen Stirton says it's "a dream come true" to be playing for the club he supported as a boy and hopes he can be a role model like former Tangerines stars Gary Mackay-Steven and Nadir Ciftci were for him.
The 18-year-old, who grew up watching United, looks set to have a big part to play on the park for Jim Goodwin's side over the coming years after signing a deal until the summer of 2028.
"For the next few years my targets are to be that number nine for United," Stirton said.
"I have been a fan all my life and to be the number nine for United would be a dream come true for me and that is why I decided to stay and hopefully in a few years that will be me.
"Being a United fan you dream of playing for United and that is all I have wanted to do so I am happy to be able to do that just now.
"You have got to be patient and when I got the chance I feel I did myself no harm in the team."
Forfar-born Stirton has many happy memories following United from the stands as a little boy cheering on his heroes.
"They [the games] were brilliant, especially the derbies," he added.
"Both the 6-2 games, they were unbelievable memories and even the 2010 Scottish Cup final , I was there when I was three years old and hopefully this year could be another special year in the Scottish Cup.
"I was a winger back in the day and Gary Mackay-Steven was my favourite player, I loved watching him. And then probably Nadir Ciftci , he was another one of my favourites.
"It is a dream come to true to be honest and hopefully for boys growing up I can be their idol and they can look up to me like I did to the players back then."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Football can be all about momentum - either the lack of it, or being able to get some going.
After edging out Ayr in the Scottish Cup, Dundee United will have been desperate to try to register back-to-back domestic wins for the first time this season.
So the postponement of last weekend's Premiership visit of St Mirren was the last thing they wanted.
Next up is a Saturday night Tannadice clash with league leaders Hearts – where victory would be a real statement to suggest United's season is back on track.
While United haven't beaten Hearts at home for 10 years, they ran them close in both previous meetings this season, conceding in the 90th minute to lose 3-2 at Tannadice in August before a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle in November.
The stat about United - who are eighth in the table - still having to put together back-to-back wins highlights the inconsistency that has marred their campaign.
That inconsistency is shown by the fact they have won just five, and drawn 10 of their 22 league games.
While beating Hearts would suggest the Tangerines' ship has been steadied, a defeat would simply reinforce the stop-start nature of a season that has yet to catch fire.
Dundee United have agreed a pre-contract agreement to sign Auckland winger Jesse Randall, with the 23-year-old New Zealand international joining in the summer on a two-year contract with an option of a further year. (Daily Record)
Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.
Image source, GettyDundee United have signed "terrific" goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer from Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee on an initial six-month deal.
Maynard-Brewer, 26, helped Charlton win promotion from League One last season but has made just one appearance this term.
The academy graduate spent almost a decade at Charlton and had various loan spells, including helping Ross county to a sixth-place Scottish Premiership finish in 2021-22.
Born in England and raised in Australia, Maynard-Brewer played at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with the Socceroos Under-23s.
He will compete with Dave Richards for the starting spot at United following Yevhen Kucherenko's departure earlier this month.
"He is a terrific young goalkeeper as far as we are concerned, he knows the league having spent a loan spell at Ross County four seasons ago," said United manager Jim Goodwin.
"He is a lot more experienced now for the opportunities he has had at Charlton and we believe we are getting a really good goalkeeper to come in and compete for that first-place slot.
"We were light in that department anyway, it is a position we have been working hard on since the beginning of the window. I am delighted to get Ashley over the line."
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's visit of league leaders Hearts.
Here are the main points:
After their home game with St Mirren was postponed last weekend, Goodwin says the groundstaff have been "working tirelessly" to make sure this weekend's match is on, adding "with the change in the weather now I am confident the game will be fine".
Amid speculation over a move for Charlton's Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Goodwin says United are close to getting a new goalkeeper in. Beyond that he is not expecting much more business in this transfer window, stressing he was "really pleased" with the business they did last summer.
On reports linking United with a possible pre-contract with New Zealand winger Jesse Randall, Goodwin admits "he is a player we admire" and one that will be "on a lot of clubs' radars at the moment".
He also admits "these pre-contract negotiations are ongoing with a number of players".
With so many fixtures coming up, including a visit from Hibs and a Scottish Cup tie against Sparts after the Hearts game, Goodwin stresses "it could be a season-defining couple of weeks for us".
The 44-year-old insists his side need to start winning league games "to chase down the pack above us in that top six".
The United boss knows his side have "given ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb" but believes they are capable.
Goodwin is expecting a tough game against "a really good team" in Hearts and has highlighted the strength and depth the Tynecastle club have to continue to perform well despite being without several key players .
Team news: Other than Vicko Sevelj and Isaac Pappoe who are out injured, "we are in a good place".
Dundee United have approached 23-year-old New Zealand winger Jesse Randall, who plays for A-League leaders Auckland, about a pre-contract agreement for next season. (The Courier)
Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.
Ronny Costello
Fan writer
This week hasn't been particularly eventful. Saturday just disappeared following the news the postponement of our game with St Mirren.
The Tannadice pitch needs some TLC, it's certainly patchy in places and the rain last week was relentless.
We could only watch the results from other games and hope for a positive outcome.
Now all eyes are on Saturday. Hearts at home at 20:00 GMT. I'm not a fan of that time, but this game feels like a big deal.
Hearts are top of the league and have been going great guns. While a good performance is important, the right result would be huge.
Ronny Costello can be found at the Dode Fox Podcast, external
Dundee United have made a move for Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer and have agreed a deal to sign the 26-year-old on a permanent basis. (Daily Record), external
Manager Jim Goodwin says Dundee United's ground staff will be working round the clock to try and ensure Saturday evening's Scottish Premiership meeting with Hearts at Tannadice goes ahead, with more rain expected this week after last Saturday's match with St Mirren at the ground was postponed. (Sun), external
Goodwin admits United can scarcely afford another call-off. (Courier - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSDundee United's Vicko Sevelj is set to remain sidelined along with Isaac Pappoe (knee).
Kion Etete will go straight into the St Mirren squad after signing on loan from Cardiff until the end of the season. Oisin Smyth, recalled from a loan spell at Partick Thistle, has returned to the Jags on loan until the end of the season. Saints remain without Jonah Ayunga (tendon), Mark O'Hara (ankle) and Keanu Baccus (hamstring tendon).
Image source, SNSDundee United boss Jim Goodwin says St Mirren's current League Cup-winning hangover is reminiscent of when he captained the Buddies to glory in the same competition 13 year ago.
On Saturday United host Stephen Robinson's side, who have won only one of their seven league matches since defeating Celtic in the final last month.
Goodwin was captain of the Paisley side the previous time they lifted the cup before failing to win any of their following seven top-flight matches.
"I think it's difficult after the highs of winning the cup then to refocus and get back on to the league programme. I've seen that numerous times," said Goodwin.
"It actually happened to my own team back in 2013. We really struggled to get any momentum in the league after the cup final.
"Stephen Robinson has had lots of injuries to key players as well to contend with, but they've still got a very good, strong squad available to them. We will certainly be preparing for a very difficult fixture.
"They gave us a really difficult game in Paisley last time out and deserved to win the game and we need to make sure we don't have a similar type of performance on Saturday because we can't afford to be on the wrong end of the result."
United are five points off sixth-placed Falkirk after winning just two of their past 13 league games.
"We have to put a run of wins together, something that we haven't been able to do up to now," added Goodwin.
"We're going into that last block of 11 games now prior to the split and we have to start picking up maximum points on a consistent basis."
