Dundee United dismiss speculation over Peter Houston

DUNDEE United have dismissed reports that manager Peter Houston is facing the sack as “simply speculation.”

The Tannadice side have endured a difficult run of results, which sees them sit third bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with just two league wins so far this season.

Reports suggest a question mark now hangs over Houston’s position following United’s midweek Scottish Communities League Cup exit to Irn-Bru First Division side Falkirk.

A statement from Dundee United read: “The club have no comment to make on what is simply speculation and rumour regarding the manager’s position.

“Everyone at the club is fully committed to Saturday’s game against Dunfermline and trying to get the club further up the SPL table.”

Chairman Stephen Thompson was reportedly cutting short a family holiday in Florida to fly home for talks with Houston and board members to get to the bottom of the club’s current problems.

But in an interview with The Herald newspaper today, Houston insists he is ready to lead the club out of their predicament.

He said: “It is a tough enough job, but I don’t mind if people have a pop at me. It is me one week, Colin Calderwood the next, then Craig Brown, once I turn this around, which I will do, it will be somebody else.

“Just because I won the cup I don’t think I am immune to it. I will work harder if I possibly can to make things right.”