Source: Team_Talk
Houston takes Terrors reins permanently
Peter Houston has been confirmed as Dundee United manager after signing a three-year deal on Tuesday - and wants to keep his star players.[LNB] Houston was chairman Stephen Thompson's clear choice for the post after winning the Scottish Cup and guiding the team to third place in the SPL last season.[LNB]Talks with his agent John Colquhoun concluded over the weekend and Houston's coaches Paul Hegarty and Gary Kirk will also be awarded new deals.[LNB]Houston, who has been allowed to continue working with Craig Levein as Scotland's assistant manager, is streetwise enough to know that if big clubs bid for his players they are likely to move on but does not expect to see his squad decimated.[LNB]He said: "It's going to be hard to emulate last season's success.[LNB]"But if we keep every one of our players then we'll be there or thereabouts.[LNB]"If we go in with the same squad I see no reason we can't be up at the top end of the league winning games.[LNB]"The cup run was fantastic.[LNB]"We played every game apart from the Rangers replay away from home and if we keep this team together then I think we can be competitive again next year.[LNB]"I've already spoken to players about coming here, building for next season.[LNB]"I need a left-back to push Paul Dixon and step in when he's unavailable so I've spoken to a younger player about that.[LNB]"As for players leaving, I don't see us selling three or four but I'm realistic enough to know that if a big bid comes in then they'll be on their way.[LNB]"But not one team has made a bid at this stage."[LNB]Houston made it clear to Thompson he wanted to be allowed to work with Levein as part of the Scotland set-up and is looking forward to paying back his old colleague for a decade of working together.[LNB]Thompson has agreed that he will be available for the Sweden on August 11 even though the SPL season starts just three days later.[LNB]Hegarty and Kirk will be left in charge during those three days. Houston revealed: "I'm delighted to have the Scotland thing as well.[LNB]"Craig has given me a job for the last ten years, he's put food on my table and now it's my chance to pay him back.[LNB]"It's a huge honour for me to be involved with Scotland. I'm so proud that Craig has asked me and I can't wait to help him and the country out.[LNB]"The only one I had to discuss with the chairman was the Sweden game but we have Paul Hegarty and Gary Kirk, who do a lot of the training anyway.[LNB]"I have to say a bit about them. I have been given all the plaudits for what's happened but these guys have been invaluable to me.[LNB]"In the same way that, hopefully, I was invaluable to Craig they are the same.[LNB]"Heggy and Kirky have worked their tails off. They are in here at the back of 7 in the morning, discussing what we're going to do in training.[LNB]"I worked with Heggy at Hearts and I've known Kirky for years. They deserve the plaudits as well because they are a vital part of what we do.[LNB]"Heggy is staying on and will be getting a new contract and Kirky is also going to see the chairman for a renewal too."
