Peter Houston says missing Scotland duty this week is the exception not the rule

Peter Houston believes he made the right decision to forego this week’s Scotland trip to Cyprus but says he’ll be back in the dug-out with Craig Levein when the World Cup qualifiers begin.

The Dundee United manager is Levein’s assistant coach with the national team and, before this week, hadn’t missed a squad get-together for either a friendly or competitive match.

He believed his time would be better served staying at home on this occasion, but says that won’t become the norm on international breaks.

Houston pointed out: ”I actually saw somebody put a photograph on Twitter of the boys training in Cyprus while I was standing in the freezing cold at St Andrews!

”I just felt that it wasn’t an important game. I spoke to Craig and sometimes your own players need you round about them, even though we’ve got guys on coaching courses and with under-21 squads.

”I felt I was best served staying here this time but I’ll reiterate that when it comes to the qualifiers I’ll be away with Scotland again. I’m contracted to do it.

“Craig asked me at the start and I said I would see it through. That’s what I aim to do.”

Photo Lynne Cameron/PA Archive