Houston wary of fortress Easter Road

Published on 11/11/2012 02:27

Dundee United manager Peter Houston claims Easter Road is as difficult a venue as any for visiting teams in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League as he prepares his side for today’s testing trip.

United head to Edinburgh to face Pat Fenlon’s in-form side who have sent shockwaves through the SPL by challenging at the top of the table after a string of excellent results. United, who have also picked up form in recent weeks after being second bottom for a while, are seeking to continue their own recent run of fine form but Houston, pictured, is aware they face a Hibs side in full flow.

He said: “It’s probably as tough a game as we could get right now.

“Hibs deserve enormous credit for what they’ve done so far this season and you can’t argue with what they’ve done.

“Easter Road is never an easy venue to go to but that’s even more so the case when they’re in the kind of form they’re in at present.

“All their players seem to be on the top of their game and in Leigh Griffiths they have the top scorer in the SPL.

“Hibs have been to Parkhead earlier this season and come away with a point which speaks volumes for them.

“They’ve got a good balance in their team so we know it will be nothing other than a very hard 90 minutes.

“But we’re also in decent spirits which could make for a good, open game.

“We beat them on the opening day of the season but since then Hibs have come on leaps and bounds.

“We’re looking forward to it though because it’s another challenge for the players.”

United are without Barry Douglas at full-back due to an ankle injury so Brian McLean will fill in for him, while Gregory Vignal is still sidelined following his 
hamstring tear.