Source: Team_Talk
Houston extols virtues of game
Dundee United manager Peter Houston thought his side's entertaining 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock was an excellent advert for Scottish football.[LNB] The Ayrshire side broke the deadlock when Irishman Conor Sammon netted his eighth league goal of the season with a powerful drive after 22 minutes before United's Johnny Russell restored parity a minute later to earn his side a point in Saturday's SPL clash at Tannadice.[LNB]The United boss said: "I defy anybody to say that wasn't a good, open game. It was two teams that were right at it. Killie are on a hot streak of form but I thought we took the game to them, especially in the first half.[LNB]"I thought it was against the run of play that we lost the first goal but we showed good character to get back level quickly. I think the crowd would have gone home entertained today."[LNB]However, Houston felt substitute Jon Daly should have netted a late winner to give his side all three points.[LNB]He said: "Jon had two great chances, one with his head and another when he maybe should have squared it to David Goodwillie but I'm sure David wouldn't have passed it to Jon either had he been in the same position - that's strikers for you!"[LNB]Houston was pleased with the response shown by his side following their disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to St Mirren midweek.[LNB]He added: "It was a different United side from the poor, lethargic side that we had out on Wednesday night. It was also great to see that we had five under-21 players out there for most of the game. The fact that we have been able to blood youngsters augurs well for the future of this club. We are missing a lot of key players but I thought the ones that came in were excellent."[LNB]Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen singled out midfielder Alexei Eremenko for praise following the match.[LNB]Killie, who came to Tannadice on the back of three consecutive 3-0 victories, again turned out an impressive passing display to leave with a well-merited point, with the on-loan Finnish midfielder at the heart of most of what was good about the Rugby Park side's performance.[LNB]Paatelainen said: "I'm not surprised by that as he is a quality player. He always passes the ball well and his awareness and technical ability is excellent. He is a quality player. I thought Mehdi Taouil also played well. I was also very pleased with our defensive performance as Dundee United pressed us well, especially in the first half.[LNB]"They made life very difficult for us but all credit to the boys as they passed the ball around them and created good openings. We were disappointed to lose the goal so soon after we scored but I thought we were totally in control in the second half."
