Jim Goodwin defends under-fire Aberdeen stars as he pinpoints 'pleasing' aspect of Dundee United draw

New Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin has defender under-fire duo Declan Gallagher and David Bates.

The two centre-backs have been singled out for poor performances and errors leading to goals so far.

Bates was at fault for the penalty which Marc McNulty converted to open the scoring in the Dons' draw with Dundee United on Saturday.

And both centre-backs have come under scrutiny, although Gallagher has had injury issues.

But Goodwin insists he wants his central-defenders to be strong and to do the basics.

He reckons the pair showed for most of the United game they’re more than capable of delivering.

And he knows they’ll need to produce something similar to give the Dons the chance to take points from Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday.

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Goodwin said: “There is plenty for me to work with, that is the most pleasing thing for me.

“There was a team who were willing to run themselves into the ground, get close to people and be aggressive.

“All in all, it was another point on the board but let’s not get carried away.

“We’re not satisfied with that. We don’t think taking a point at home to Dundee United, with the greatest of respect, is a fantastic result.

“It’s still another point on the board and considering