Source: Team_Talk
Terrors cool over Houston ambitions
Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson is "relaxed" about Peter Houston's Scotland ambitions as they prepare for talks over his future.[LNB] Both parties are keen to extend Houston's spell as manager after he led United to third place in the Scottish Premier League and the Active Nation Scottish Cup with five months of taking over on a caretaker basis.[LNB]Talks are expected to take place in midweek as the celebrations from Saturday's Hampden triumph over Ross County die down.[LNB]Houston is keen to continue as Scotland manager Craig Levein's assistant, which could pose logistical problems at the start of the season.[LNB]Scotland face Sweden in a Stockholm friendly on August 11, three days before the SPL season gets under way and eight days before United begin their Europa League campaign.[LNB]Scotland have four Euro 2012 qualifiers in September and October and Thompson wants to ensure United do not suffer, but the chairman pointed to former manager Jim McLean's involvement as assistant to former national team boss Jock Stein.[LNB]"I've thought about the Scotland position," Thompson told STV Sport.[LNB]"Generally I am quite relaxed about it. Just at the start of the season there is a Scotland game just before the first league game and then first game in Europe, all in the space of eight days.[LNB]"I wouldn't say it worries me, I think it is great for the club that your manager is involved at international level.[LNB]"Jim McLean was involved plenty of years ago and it was great for the club.[LNB]"I don't think long-term it is a big issue, they don't have games every week."[LNB]Talks over Houston's future were postponed as he prepared for the cup final so Thompson does not want to pre-empt any unforeseen demands.[LNB]But the chairman, who saw an attempt to secure Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon fail because of the Irish club's compensation demands, is not considering any other contender.[LNB]"I don't know what's on his mind, we haven't spoken, he might want a million-pound transfer budget," Thompson added.[LNB]"That's why I'm being a little cagey because I don't know what's going through his head. But I know he is delighted to be manager and he is loving it just now.[LNB]"There will be other issues as well and it would be wrong to discuss them publicly without speaking to Peter over the table. He might want me to make him a cup of tea every morning.[LNB]"But, seriously, there are one or two things to talk about, there are a few rumours about our players and we want to keep the team together.[LNB]"There are issues and we'll address them and hopefully Peter will be around next year."
