Source: Team_Talk
Houston impressed by McCall impact
McCall was United boss for two years from 2003 to 2005, the flagship appointment of former chairman Eddie Thompson after he wrestled control of the club from Jim McLean.[LNB]The one-time Falkirk player, who worked under Houston at Brockville, had a superb first season at Tannadice and led the club to fifth place but - against a backdrop of wage cuts - was unable to sustain the team's progress so was sacked in 2005.[LNB]McCall then had a brief spell with hometown club Queen of the South but it has been at Partick, where he has transformed them from relegation battlers into title contenders, where his reputation has been most repaired.[LNB]Houston, who is expected to take charge of the team for the final time in Saturday's Scottish Cup tie at Firhill, reckons the Jags and McCall are the perfect fit.[LNB]He said: "Partick seems a good fit for him.[LNB]"He's from that part of Glasgow, he stays not far from Firhill and it's a club that seems to suit him.[LNB]"Of course he'll have ambition to get back up a level again and if he doesn't do it with them then I'm sure he'll get another chance at the SPL.[LNB]"I have to admit, when I was with him at Falkirk I didn't think he was manager material.[LNB]"But credit to him, he's built a good career for himself. He's got a great track record of building good teams and he's kept that up at Thistle.[LNB]"There are a few folk with United connections at Partick.[LNB]"Alan Archibald was here when we first came to United, he's at Firhill now, and obviously there's Ian McCall.[LNB]"Ian has done really well there. I don't think he will mind me saying that it hurt him a bit when he left here, it was the first knock he'd taken in his career.[LNB]"He did really well at Tannadice in his first season but, for whatever reason, things didn't go so well after that.[LNB]"But he's bounced back from it, first at Queen of the South and now at Thistle."[LNB]Houston watched the Jags defeat Morton on Monday night and was impressed by what he saw.[LNB]McCall has put together a good blend of youth and experience, with the likes of Steve Lovell and David Rowson in the side to compliment the talents of youngsters Liam Buchanan and ex-Queens Park midfielder Paul Cairney.[LNB]Houston said: "He has built a team full of experience but with some young legs in there too.[LNB]"I watched them on Monday night so I know how much of a threat they are.[LNB]"They pass the ball around well and when you have the likes of David Rowson, Simon Donnelly, Steve Lovell, Alan Archibald and Ian Maxwell, added to the young talents of Paul Cairney and Liam Buchanan, you see they are a very good side.[LNB]"He's just signed Greg Shields as well so they are strong, with experience in the right areas - so we know what we're in for on Saturday."[LNB]United are without striker Danny Cadamarteri, who has torn a calf muscle, Scott Robertson, Lee Wilkie and Francisco Sandaza for the trip to Maryhill.[LNB][LNB]
