Source: Team_Talk
Severin tipped to inspire young Terrors
Manager Peter Houston has backed Scott Severin to bring out the best of the youthful Dundee United squad.[LNB] The Scotland international is preparing to make his debut against his former club Aberdeen at Tannadice on Saturday.[LNB]Severin was Hearts youth team captain under Houston in his early career and returns to the Scottish Premier League - where he had long and successful spells with Hearts and Aberdeen - after a season of limited opportunities at Watford.[LNB]The 31-year-old midfielder-turned-defender, who made almost 200 appearances for the Dons, has a crucial role to play in helping United build on their third-placed finish of last season after joining at the end of the summer transfer window.[LNB]"We've got a very young squad and I think his experience will rub off on others," said Houston.[LNB]"We need experienced players as well as good young players.[LNB]"He's organised, he's a good passer of the ball, he's decent in the air.[LNB]"He's got all the characteristics as a player and as a person that I want in our dressing room."[LNB]Houston believes Severin - a player he finally recruited on August 31 after spending all summer trying - can play a similar role to that last season of defender Andy Webster, who has since returned to parent club Rangers.[LNB]"Garry Kenneth likes somebody who is experienced alongside him," added Houston.[LNB]"Garry's still learning and I'm sure he'll complement Garry Kenneth in the way that Andy Webster did last year.[LNB]"Scott hasn't played for a while so it might be a few games before we see him at his very best, but I know for a fact that if he goes on to the park tomorrow, he'll give us 100%."[LNB]Houston was also boosted by the retention of winger Craig Conway, as United rebuffed a bid from Middlesbrough.[LNB]Conway capped a fine second half of last season with two goals in the Scottish Cup final win at Hampden Park.[LNB]And Houston, who was promoted to manager when Craig Levein was appointed Scotland boss, believes international honours are not too far away.[LNB]Houston added: "His overall play towards the second half of last season was as good as anything.[LNB]"He's getting more consistent and now Craig is becoming, in my opinion, a right good player.[LNB]"I honestly feel that if he can get back to that form and maintain that form, Craig Conway could easily get a call into the Scotland squad.[LNB]"It's not for me to say that, but he can't fail to impress Craig Levein if he continues with performances like that."[LNB]Conway and Houston, who works with Levein at national team level, must first concentrate on tomorrow's fixture with Aberdeen, with United looking for a first win of the season following draws at St Mirren and Hearts and a 4-0 defeat to Inverness in their last home game.[LNB]"That's a day that's in our minds that we can't forget," said Houston of the Inverness result.[LNB]"If we don't do our jobs properly, things like that can happen.[LNB]"But I'm convinced with the squad of players we've got they've learned a big lesson from that."[LNB]Houston will urge his side to take the initiative and hopes they can avoid conceding first, as they did against Saints, in the Europa League clash with AEK Athens and against Hearts.[LNB]He added: "I'm looking for us to try and go in front instead of having to chase the game from behind.[LNB]"They've played well in the last two games but in both games they've had to chase back from 1-0 down.[LNB]"I'd like to see us taking the lead, making sure that we're solid and seeing the other teams opening up against us."[LNB]Houston has a near-full squad to pick from, with only midfielder Danny Swanson absent with a hamstring injury.[LNB]Swanson, though, is close to fitness having returned to running in training.[LNB]"I don't think it will be that long before he's back," said Houston.
