Luca Stephenson has experienced the highs and lows of penalty drama in the past two weeks.
The on-loan Liverpool defender fouled Moses Ebiye in the box late on in Dundee United’s Premier Sports quarter-final against Motherwell, and the spot-kick was scored by Lennon Miller to send the Steelmen through to the semi-finals.
Though his fortunes were different on Saturday against Kilmarnock, as he drew a foul from Fraser Murray deep into added time. The successful penalty rescued a Scottish Premiership point for United.
It also drew praise from his manager, Jim Goodwin, who hailed his resilience and maturity at bouncing back from a tough lesson in Lanarkshire.
“It’s clever from 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,” Goodwin said after the 3-3 draw.
“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.”