Source: Team_Talk
Houston: Success can come at a price
Peter Houston believes Dundee United can build on what has already been a successful campaign and come back even stronger next season.[LNB] But he says the biggest challenge he now faces is keeping his squad together over the summer after admitting he fully expects other clubs to swoop.[LNB]United claimed the coveted third spot in the SPL with several games to spare and could add silverware to their achievements this term if they overcome Ross County in the Active Nation Scottish Cup final this weekend.[LNB]Houston said: "We'd like to be at Hampden more regularly. Whether we are good enough over a league campaign to upset Celtic and Rangers remains to be seen.[LNB]"First and foremost, you need to keep all your players. Success at clubs like this means other teams will be looking to take your players.[LNB]"It's happened in the last few years and whether we can keep the squad together remains to be seen.[LNB]"We don't know because finance plays a big, big part in Scottish football.[LNB]"I would like to keep the squad together but, if a huge offer comes in for one of our players, it's likely he will go.[LNB]"We want to keep improving as a football club and challenging for Europe and cup finals and hopefully we can continue to do that."[LNB]He added: "We got a taste of it when we played in the League Cup final a couple of years ago. It was a game we should have won.[LNB]"We were winning with five minutes to go and it was such a disappointment.[LNB]"But there has been improvement over the last couple of years and it would be lovely for the fans and the football club to win the Scottish Cup on Saturday because it proves again that we are a decent force in Scottish football.[LNB]"From being bottom of the league three-and-half years ago to third in the SPL and nine points clear and with a trophy in the cabinet as well - that's our aim."[LNB]United were the underdogs when they lost to Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final in 2008 but the tables will be turned on Saturday when they take on Irn-Bru First Division side Ross County.[LNB]"Honestly, it doesn't matter to me," said Houston.[LNB]"I see it as a very open and attacking game. Ross County beat Hibs over two games and then we saw what they did to Celtic.[LNB]"I've been watching the games on DVD and I've seen a very good side.[LNB]"If Dundee United are to win the cup on Saturday, we will have to be at our best."
