Scotland boss Craig Levein has admitted to feeling just a bit jealous that Peter Houston will be in the Hampden dugout for the Scottish Cup final instead of him.
Levein left Dundee United to become national coach in December, leaving Houston to take over first as caretaker and then manager until the end of the season and possibly beyond.
The Tangerines had not yet embarked on their Active Nation Scottish Cup campaign, which kicked off against Partick Thistle at Firhill on January 9.
Victories over St Johnstone, Rangers and Raith Rovers followed and now Levein’s successor will find himself centre stage when United meet Ross County in the showpiece finale to the season on Saturday.
Houston revealed how a boozy day at the racing resulted in his friend admitting he would love to swap his seat in the VIP area on Saturday for a touchline spot.
Houston said, “He is delighted about what we have done and said he is, in a small way, jealous. I can understand why.
“He signed the players and I don’t get away from that fact.”
He added, “He was proud and pleased to go to Scotland and he is also delighted I have continued with his group of players.
“A bit of him is jealous but he wants us to win it so much.”
The hurdle that stands between United and victory is a fit, fluent and talented Ross County team Houston is under no illusions about how dangerous they could be.
He has had the first division side watched several times, will go through in-depth analysis with his players ahead of the game and will plan to counter potential danger men.Staggies’ dangerHouston said, “We have to think about Ross County because they played extremely well against Celtic here.
“We have watched the DVD of that semi-final many times, as well as DVDs of both Hibs games.
“I have a fair idea of how I think they will play and the players they will use.
“All we have to work out is how we are going to play, how to counter-act them.”
He added, “We are very much an attack-minded side but I want to get things right so that, when we don’t have the ball, we know how to stop Ross County from scoring against us.
“We have to start better and make sure we don’t lose anything.”
Houston shrugged when asked about United going into the game as strong favourites, with the Highlanders rated as high as 6-1 to win in 90 minutes.
He said, “It doesn’t worry me at all.
“I know for a fact that, whether we were playing Celtic, Rangers or Ross County, Dundee United would need to be at 100% to win.
“If you show any disrespect to opponents because they play in a lower division, you are in trouble.
“So the favourite tag doesn’t wear with me not in a one-off game.”
Both Houston and Levein put great store in the personality of players, almost as much as their ability.
And Houston is confident the team he picks will be able to handle the Hampden pressure.
He said, “We wouldn’t have brought in any dodgy characters and, whether we have played well or not this season, the guys have worked.
“Our teams have always, even at Hearts or Leicester before Craig and I came to United, been told to work their socks off and hope that quality takes over.
“So I have no fears about how we go about the game. I know what the United players will give on Saturday.”
Houston will hold talks with Tannadice supremo Stephen Thompson, as arranged, once the final is out of the way.
He has expressed a desire to stay at Tannadice and lead the team in continental competition next season.
There are, however, still issues to deal with.
Houston said, “I have a meeting with the chairman next week and it is fair to say that if I get offered the job it is likely I will take it if the terms are right.
“I have told the chairman if we lose three or four players, there is no point in me taking it on because this is as good as it gets for Dundee United.
“Next season, it is going to be difficult to emulate what these players have done nine points clear in third and getting to a cup final.”
He added, “I know for a fact United have to sell to balance the books things are tight in Scottish football but I want a fair crack of the whip.
“I am prepared for the stick and all of that stuff, no problem, but I want to make sure I can continue improving United as a football club.
“I just want to make sure that, if players leave, we get their true value.
“I’m not asking for guarantees. I am just asking we get full value for a player if we lose him.”
Turning back to the cup final, Houston has no fresh injury worries and it appears Danny Cadamarteri, who dislocated his shoulder less than a fortnight ago, may be involved in the final.
“You wouldn’t believe it, he looks as if there is nothing wrong with him.”
The outlook for Paul Dixon looks a lot bleaker and he is likely to watch his team-mates from the stand.
“Dicker’s foot is still broken,” Houston said. “We got an X-ray done because he has been in this hyperbaric chamber but it is not working and I have told him.”
“All the time he’s spent in this chamber hasn’t worked for him, poor lad.
But the rest of the squad are fit.