Houston says battle will be won and lost in midfield

Dundee United manager Peter Houston believes midfield will be the key battleground when his team take on Motherwell today.

United are looking to build on their first home win of the season against Inverness two weeks ago by beating Stuart McCall’s side.

Motherwell have been flying high in the SPL and Houston is an admirer of the players they have in the middle of the park. But with Scotland squad man Danny Swanson, John Rankin, Willo Flood and youngster Stuart Armstrong all in good form for United, the Tannadice manager knows getting a grip of midfield will be crucial.

He said: “The midfield will be important because both teams have strength in the middle of the park. That will have a big say on the outcome of the match because whoever gets a grip on that and takes the opportunities when they come along will give themselves a big chance.

“Motherwell have always made it tough for us. I have a lot of respect for them for what they have done over the last few seasons. They are a similar club to us here at Dundee United and they have been consistently up there in the top half of the league. They have been in Europe a few times recently and have some real quality players in their squad.

“One thing Motherwell have had is continuity because I could probably name seven or eight players who will play against us who have been there for a long time. That has been great for Stuart McCall because he’s been able to go in there and keep them up at the top end of the table. He’s been doing a great job and has made a real impact on the SPL since he came back to Scotland.”

Swanson was boosted by his call-up to Craig Levein’s Scotland squad for the forthcoming games against Liechtenstein and Spain. And Houston believes that being involved with the national side will give Swanson a new injection of confidence.

He said: “It’s great for Danny, everyone is really pleased for him. He has been playing very well after overcoming his injury problems so he deserves it. He has had a hard time and I’ve told him in the past not to beat himself up so much.

“I think he is taking that on board and being involved with the national side will give him a further boost.”

United are minus defender Sean Dillon, who suffered a setback in his bid to return after a calf tear, while Scott Severin remains on the sidelines with a broken leg.