Oh Vienna: Jim's Rapid memories

JIM GOODWIN has revealed he came close to joining Rapid Vienna as a player under the legendary Lothar Matthaus.

- By Scott Burns

Now he returns to the Allianz Stadium as Dundee United manager looking to cause a Conference League shock in tonight's first leg.

The Irishman had impressed for the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s in Austria — and that brought about interest from Rapid and Salzburg.

He was invited to Rapid where he met and played head tennis with their boss Matthaus, inset.

“Yes, I have been to Vienna before,” said Goodwin.

“It was 2001, 24 years ago. I was over here when Lothar Matthaus was the manager.

“I played a game against Austria for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.

“I was leaving Celtic at the time and I managed to play particularly well against Austria and I had an invite from Rapid Vienna and Salzburg to come and have a look around at the stadium and the training facility.