Source: FOOTYMAD
Living In The Real World
Limited resources mean some clubs can't just go out and get another player for cover. Dundee United manager Peter Houston would love to have the problems Celtic and Rangers have about the size of their squads. He believes both clubs should take a reality check before complaining. Neil Lennon expressed the need for urgent central defensive cover after the hamstring injury last week to Daniel Majstorovic, while Rangers counterpart Walter Smith bemoaned his attacking options after the sale of Kenny Miller. United were the closest challengers to the Glasgow pair when finishing third last season, but have struggled to find the same consistency this term because of a series of injuries and suspensions in key positions. They were able to find a late equaliser from Scott Robertson to claim a point at St Mirren on Wednesday night, cancelling out a Darren McGregor goal, but Houston remains concerned about a lack of strength in depth. He reckons Celtic and Rangers should look at their problems from the perspective of smaller clubs like his own and feels United's current difficulties have been overlooked. The United manager said: "We've got a lot of bodies injured and suspended just now so I'm using young kids. I hear Celtic only have one fit centre-half, well I didn't have any last Saturday at Kilmarnock. It's been like that for about three months now, simply because of injuries, so the fact we're still getting results shows the great spirit the players have amongst them. I'm giving a run in the side to players like Johnny Russell and Keith Watson who might not be ready for that yet, but are doing a great job for me in the circumstances. I look at young Stuart Armstrong last night, he's just a young boy that we recently signed on a three-year deal and I thought he did brilliantly. He tired a bit in the game for what was his first start for the club, but I've got great faith in him for the future. He's an SPL player in my eyes now." St Mirren manager Danny Lennon was unhappy at his team's defending in midweek. He singled out Jure Travner, on loan from Watford, as not being strong enough at the far post to prevent Robertson scoring, but did have praise for his goalscorer McGregor. He said: "I've always encouraged Darren to get forward. I've never hidden the fact he's a big player for us and last night proved to everyone he has an influence in both penalty boxes." While Lennon's priority is keeping Saints in the SPL, his thoughts are already turning to the forthcoming Scottish Cup tie at Second Division Ayr a week on Saturday, who beat Hibs in the previous round. Lennon added: "As we should be, we have to be on our guard as Ayr proved they have what it takes to knock out higher-league opposition. But I'm sure we'll go down to Ayr in confident mood with a large travelling support to back us up and it's a tie I'm sure everybody is looking forward to." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
