GARRY KENNETH believes Peter Houston’s record of success has made him a target for ambitious English Championship side Blackpool.
The Dundee United boss had been tentatively linked with the vacant Seasiders manager’s job at the weekend but initially looked a long shot to replace Michael Appleton, who left the club to join Blackburn.
However, the news that the Tangerines have now granted Houston permission to open talks with Blackpool immediately saw him installed as a 1-6 favourite with one bookmaker.
The 54-year-old oversaw United training as normal yesterday and it is understood he is still awaiting confirmation about a formal interview.
The Scottish Cup-winning boss’s contract at Tannadice is up in the summer and his representatives have been negotiating with chairman Stephen Thompson about extending his deal.
However, a club spokesman confirmed last night that United would not stand in Houston’s way if he wanted to pursue a move to Bloomfield Road.
Seasiders chairman Karl Oyston is hoping to make a quick appointment, after Sean O’Driscoll turned down the post.
And Kenneth, who was part of Houston’s side that lifted the cup in 2010, admitted he would not be surprised if Oyston opted to hire his former boss.
Kenneth said: “I think it would be a great move for him.
“Peter has a good CV when you look at what he’s done during his time in charge of Dundee United.
“He won the Scottish Cup in 2010 in his first season, which was obviously the main highlight.
“Not many managers get that sort of success so early in their career but he did. On top of that, he’s taken the club into Europe three years running by finishing high up the SPL.
“That’s no mean feat so you can see why the Blackpool board would be sitting up and taking a bit of notice.
“Looking in from the outside, I reckon you would have to be impressed by those achievements.
“That is probably as good a record as any manager outwith the Old Firm would be likely to have.”
Houston has been at Tannadice for more than six years, first as assistant boss to Craig Levein and then as manager in his own right and Kenneth believes it may be the right time to move on.
The Bristol Rovers defender added: “Peter’s as long-serving a manager as any in the SPL so maybe he feels it’s time for a fresh challenge.
“Managers never tend to stay that long at clubs these days, whether it’s in Scotland or down here in England.
“There will be a list of candidates in for the Blackpool post as it’s obviously a big job but he’ll be in with a shout.
“They have a decent fan base and have spent time in the Premiership recently so have ambitions to get back there.
“They’ve had the likes of Charlie Adam there in the past, who was brilliant for them.
“It will be interesting to see what happens.
“I’m out injured just now and my own season is over but I’ll be watching things closely as I’ll be a Dundee United fan at heart and hope everything works out well for them in the long run.”
Meanwhile, United confirmed that Willie Robertson’s loan deal with Forfar has been extended until the end of the season.