Jim Goodwin gives verdict on Dundee United spot-kick against Hibs as Willie Collum VAR diktat comes to the fore

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has given his verdict on the controversial penalty awarded against his team in their 1-0 defeat to Hibernian on Saturday.

Willie Collum pointed to the spot after Ryan Porteous went down under a challenge from Aziz Behich, with Josh Campbell converting the resulting penalty to give Hibs the victory.

Goodwin was unhappy with the decision, claiming that Behich had won the ball fairly.

"I thought it was a really poor decision by Willie Collum," Goodwin said. "I've watched it back and I don't think there's any contact. Behich has won the ball cleanly. It's a really soft decision and it's cost us the game."

The penalty decision was one of several controversial incidents in the game, with Collum also coming under fire for his handling of a number of other incidents.

Goodwin was particularly critical of Collum's failure to award a penalty to Dundee United in the first half, when Jamie McGrath was brought down in the box by Paul McGinn.

"It was a stonewall penalty," Goodwin said. "There's no doubt about it. McGrath is clean through on goal and McGinn takes him out. It's a clear penalty and I can't believe Collum didn't give it."

The defeat leaves Dundee United in eighth place in the Scottish Premiership, six points behind Hibernian in fourth.

Goodwin is hoping that his team can bounce back from the disappointment of Saturday's defeat when they face St Johnstone at home on Wednesday.

"We need to put this behind us and focus on the next game," Goodwin said. "We have a big game against St Johnstone on Wednesday and we need to make sure we get back to winning ways."