Peter Houston faces challenge to unearth new diamonds for Dundee United

Gary Mackay-Steven has been a revelation at Dundee United, having been snapped up from Airdrie United in the summer.© SNS Group

Peter Houston concedes he faces an even tougher task to find new talent to keep his Dundee United squad competitive next season.

A place in the Europa League has already been confirmed for the new campaign, with the Terrors securing fourth spot in the SPL for the second consecutive year.

Houston offset the loss of key figures such as David Goodwillie, Craig Conway, Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis by bringing in fresh talent, with Gary Mackay-Steven and Gavin Gunning both impressing this term.

The manager though now faces the task of replacing another wave of players, with Garry Kenneth and Paul Dixon already on their way, and says it won’t be easy to repeat his feats in the transfer market last year.

“I wish the lads who are set to leave all the best as I certainly don't grudge any player going to earn three or four times what they are on here,” Houston told the Courier.

“However, it looks like we will have to rebuild again and our budget is going to be a bit lower as well but that's football.

“We just have to find new diamonds, so to speak. Mackay-Steven has been one for us but it's not every day that I'm going to be able to pull another rabbit out of the hat like him.

“But we will keep working away and we have two signed already for next season [goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak and striker Michael Gardyne]. Probably the maximum I will get is another two.”

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