Peter Houston heaps praise on ‘brilliant’ Steve Lomas

Published on Saturday 11 February 2012 05:30

DUNDEE United manager Peter Houston is confident St Johnstone’s raft of former Tangerines stars will not influence outcome of their Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter today.

The likes of Francisco Sandaza, David Robertson and David McCracken worked with Houston at United before switching to Saints, so will know something about his tactics and approach.

However, Houston insists away days at McDiarmid Park are a tough task in their own right, and does not place any importance on coming face to face with former players.

“I don’t think that St Johnstone having a few ex-United players makes a difference, said Houston, whose side currently lies eight points behind today’s hosts. “It is a derby match so there is always going to be a bit of spice in the game regardless.

“David McCracken was here when I first came to the club with Craig Levein. He moved on because he wasn’t a first-team regular at Dundee United but he went to England and did well.

“He’s come back to St Johnstone and has been a regular there. He is a smashing boy, his attitude was excellent when he was here.”

Houston has been impressed with the work of St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas, who replaced Derek McInnes in November. The 37-year-old Northern Irishman has continued the good work of his predecessor and Houston reckons the ex-Manchester City man’s high profile in England will help him sign more players like Derby winger Lee Croft.

Houston said: “Steve Lomas has done brilliant. He replaced Derek McInnes and has carried on the work he had done.

“Steve knows the English leagues so I’m sure he will be able to get more good players for St Johnstone.”

United playmaker Danny Swanson will again miss out with a knee problem but Robbie Neilson will feature.

Lomas believes United’s 2-0 win at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup last week acts as a warning as to just how difficult a task his own side face today.

He said: “United got a great result at Rangers so we know they are going to be tough opposition. They’ve got some good players so we are going to have to produce similar to the second half performance we put in against Hearts last week over the course of 90 minutes.

“Hopefully we can get something. We are fully focused on this game.

“We know they are going to be buoyant after a great performance against Rangers and we are going to have to combat that.”

Saints are still sweating over the fitness of Murray Davidson ahead of the meeting at McDiarmid Park after he was forced out of last week’s cup tie against Hearts with an ankle injury.

Saints’ impressive form this season means they head into the weekend action in joint fourth position with Hearts but Lomas refused to set any targets.

He said: “We are not getting ahead of ourselves. We’ve got a tough week coming up starting with this game against Dundee United.

“Then we’ve got the cup replay on Tuesday and Aberdeen the following Sunday so it’s a tough period for us.”