REDS HUNT ROBERTSON

Houston knows United have more cash but tips his hungry Bairns to stun rivals

LIVERPOOL are leading the chase to sign Andy Robertson with his former club Dundee United set to receive a near £1million windfall.

The Premier League side are among a host of top-flight teams vying for the Hull City star’s signature but it looks increasingly likely Anfield will be the left-back’s next destination. PFA

PETER HOUSTON insists Falkirk punched above their weight to finish second in the Championship – but has backed his players to prove hunger can overcome Dundee United’s greater resources.

The two sides locks horns in the Premiership play-off semi-final first leg at Tannadice tomorrow night after United eliminated Morton.

And Houston also hopes the experience of last season’s play-offs – when they beat Hibs at the same stage before suffering a 4-1 aggregate defeat by Kilmarnock – will stand them in good stead.

The Bairns boss said: “Yes, they’re a bigger club than us, that’s without doubt. The support base is bigger than ours, not by a lot but it is bigger, which means they have more season ticket holders – and that means they have more money.

“They’re able to pay players probably a lot more than what we can pay. We have a fairly strict budget I have to work to and I’m convinced theirs is a lot bigger.

“But sometimes it does not come down to budgets, it comes down to the players we have and how important it is to them.

“I know if you have a good group of professionals they don’t look at the money side. They look at the prestige of getting out of this division and trying to play in the Premiership because that might be the last time for some of them.

“Our aim and focus is on us and how we can take this club forward. I’ve been here almost three years, we’ve built up this group of players and they’re terrific.

“I have to give them credit. We reached a Scottish Cup Final and twice in a row we’ve finished second in the league, this is with teams such as Hibs, Rangers and Hearts in the league.

“It has been a tough two years and I came with hope of getting this team back in the Premiership, where we belong.”

Houston, whose side have already beaten United twice this term, insists he still regrets his decision to send out an attacking team in last season’s second leg at Kilmarnock.

The Rugby Park side bounced back from a 1-0 loss at Falkirk to preserve their Premiership status with a convincing 4-0 victory in Ayrshire, scoring twice inside eight minutes.

Houston added: “Both the Hibs games went to about 97 minutes, not just 90.

“The emotions were really high. That takes a lot out of you physically as well as mentally. In the first Kilmarnock game we were lucky to win 1-0. In the second leg they blew us away in the first eight minutes and deserved to win.

“But we’ve learned from that and I’ve learned as well because there are things we probably should have done in the second leg. We still went with two strikers but we probably should have bottled it up a wee bit to start the game. I never did that and I regret it.

“So hopefully we’ve learned from last season’s play-offs but can we take it one stage further? That’s the question.”

Falkirk have had the luxury of a 10- day break in the build up to this clash. And Houston knows that could prove crucial against United who have already come through a two-legged win over Ton.

He added: “The break was good for the boys in a physical sense but mentally as well because there has been a bit of pressure to finish in that second place.

“I’m delighted to be going into the semi-final rather than having to play the quarters as well. The boys are buzzing, ready and keen to get going.”

The break was good .. there’s been a bit of pressure to finish in second

PETER HOUSTON