Peter Houston has been confirmed as the long-term manager of Dundee United after agreeing a three-year deal with chairman Stephen Thompson.
But 51-year-old Houston admitted he owes the supremo of another club, rather than Thompson, a bottle of Scotland’s national drink for helping him land the job.
Back in January after Houston revealed he did not want to fill the managerial vacancy created by Craig Levein’s departure to become Scotland boss on a permanent basis, United turned their attention to Bohemians’ highly-rated coach Pat Fenlon.
However, a possible deal fell through when Bohs chairman Robert Dunne demanded compensation that United deemed excessive which led to Houston agreeing to remain in charge until the end of the season.
And in the months that followed, he oversaw the Tangerines finishing third in the SPL, lifting the Scottish Cup and reaching the Europa League qualifiers.
Houston said, “When Pat Fenlon came over, I was at the stage of not wanting the job.
“If Pat had got it and wanted me to assist him I would have done it.
“I would have been the first to shake his hand and wish him luck.
“But obviously, the Pat Fenlon thing fell through in the end and the chairman went back to square one. I’d said to him not to rush, take his time and do what he was comfortable with.”
He added, “It just so happens that during that time everything clicked into place.
“So I am probably due the Bohemians chairman a bottle of whisky for not agreeing compensation!
“I know Pat and could have worked with him but things worked out differently and I’m glad of that now.”Levein’s shadowTuesday’s appointment confirmed that Houston has stepped out of the shadow of close friend Levein, although they will continue to work together at international level.
Houston said, “I think a lot of people always thought I was a number two and that was all I could do.
“But a bit like Billy Brown at Hearts, who I’m sure could step up and do the job no bother, I didn’t feel the need to apply for jobs when I was working with Craig.
“I thought I was ready to do it when I stepped up at Hearts to be caretaker but now I know I was nowhere near ready then.”
He added, “Craig was a younger man but he’d managed at Cowdenbeath already so he was ready.
“But, considering the experience I have picked up from the last 10 years at Hearts, Leicester and now United, I would have been disappointed if I couldn’t have turned it round after we lost 7-1 to Rangers.
“It would have been like being knifed if I couldn’t get the best out of these players.
“I worked with them every day, I knew them and they knew me.”
United’s success this season has created intense speculation that their brightest young talents such as David Goodwillie and Craig Conway could be targeted by other clubs.
But Houston insists he is looking to add to his squad as well as retain the players he already has.
He said, “I’ve already spoken to two players about coming here. I need a left-back to push Paul Dixon and step in when he’s unavailable so I’ve spoken to a younger player about that.
“As for players leaving, I do not see us selling three or four but I’m realistic enough to know that if a big bid comes in, then they’ll be on their way.
“But not one team has made an offer at this stage.”
He added, “The other position I need to fill is at centre-back because Andy Webster has returned to Rangers.
“It’s going to be hard to emulate last season’s success but if we keep every one of our players then we’ll be there or thereabouts.
“If we go in with the same squad I see no reason why we can’t be up at the top end of the league winning games.”
One potential stumbling block between Houston and Thompson was the manager’s involvement as Scotland number two to Levein, but that has also been successfully addressed.
Houston said, “I am delighted to have the Scotland thing as well.
“Craig has given me a job for the last 10 years, he’s put food on my table and now it’s my chance to pay him back.
“It’s a huge honour for me to be involved with Scotland.
“I’m so proud that Craig has asked me and I can’t wait to help him and the country out.”Aiming higherHe said, “The only one I had to discuss with the chairman was the Sweden game (in August) but we have Paul Hegarty and Gary Kirk, who do a lot of the training anyway.
“I have to say a bit about them I have been given all the plaudits for what’s happened but these guys have been invaluable to me.
“In the same way that, hopefully, I was invaluable to Craig, they are the same.
“Heggy is staying on and will be getting a new contract and Kirky is also going to see the chairman for a renewal too.”
The chairman expressed joy at securing his man and promised the fans that United are aiming to beat this season’s achievements.
Thompson said, “I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Peter Houston as team manager on a permanent basis.
“We have had one of the best seasons we have ever had.
“Peter has had a fantastic first five months in management and it will obviously be a hard act for himself and the club to follow next season.
“But I have always believed that if you aim to be number one you will maybe get close to it, but if you target middle of the road then you might be fighting relegation.
“So we will aim to be as high up the league as we can and that means aiming for first.”
He added, “Achieving third in the league and winning the cup has helped ensure I have not had to make cuts I would have been reluctant to make.
“My ambition is to have a successful team on the park while reducing our debt.”