Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has backed Zidane Iqbal after the midfielder's goal celebration for Iraq against Kuwait sparked an angry bust-up between the players after the match. Goodwin is confident the World Cup star will make even bigger headlines in a tangerine jersey.
Goodwin refuses to be drawn on political debate
Iqbal has returned to Scotland after featuring for Iraq in Arabian Gulf Cup games against Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. His celebration against Kuwait enraged the opposition and caused a flashpoint after the final whistle.
Goodwin said: “Yes, I saw the goal, the video and watched his interview after the game. Maybe it is best I don’t get dragged into a political debate. I will just concentrate on Dundee United.
“Clearly, we support Zidane. He is a terrifically talented player. We are very fortunate to have him.
“Everyone can see that, when he came on the pitch at Falkirk, he changed the game. He was also outstanding at St Mirren.
“He has gone away with his international team and scored a goal and made a real impression.”
Iqbal's development at Dundee United
Iqbal came through the ranks at Manchester United but is now getting the chance to showcase his talent at Dundee United after his recent move from Utrecht. Goodwin believes the midfielder is only going to improve.
“He is a really good age for a player,” Goodwin insisted. “Zidane is only one who is going to improve and get better and better.
“We are just glad he is at Dundee United. We are glad to get him back in with the group.
“His fitness is good. He has had a proper pre-season and has been training for a month and had plenty of game time. So he is in a great place.”
Recruitment drive and chairman's support
The United manager admitted his namesake and the club's head of recruitment, Ross Goodwin, was a big driver in Iqbal's capture. The deal required additional funds from chairman Mark Ogren to be completed.
Boss Goodwin explained: “As a backroom team, we try to identify good, quality players.
“Sometimes, towards the end of the window, players who weren’t available at the start of the window suddenly become available because of a change in circumstances at their parent club.
“There are a lot of moving parts in it. Zidane is a player we have been monitoring for a long time.
“We didn’t initially think we had a hope of getting him, given what he did for Iraq at the World Cup.
“Credit to Ross Goodwin, my head of recruitment, for persisting with it. He kept the dialogue open with the agent and I had a Zoom with the player and told him where I saw him fitting in at Dundee United.
“At that stage, we were at the top end of our budget.”
Goodwin added: “The budgets have been very stringent over the last few years, since I have come to the club, in terms of the wage structure and we are living within our means.
“It became a conversation with the chairman. We told him we believe he could make a difference. It took us slightly over the budget we had discussed in the summer, but we think it will be worth it.
“The chairman has been unbelievably supportive in his time at the club. Not just financially but emotionally as well.
“He is always there and I appreciate that. I am grateful to him to allow us to bring a player of that talent to the club.”
