Houston: Tannadice budget bigger now than I had

FORMER Dundee United manager Peter Houston believes Ray McKinnon’s current playing budget is bigger than what he had to work with when the club was in the top-flight.

Houston, now Falkirk boss, has looked on with envy after United were linked with a move for Hearts striker Conor Sammon (see above), while Hibs recruited Kris Commons on loan from Celtic last week.

It’s a different story at the Bairns after chairman Doug Henderson told Houston on Monday he will have to get rid of players first if he wants to add any fresh faces.

The 58-year-old departed Tannadice in January 2013 after voicing concerns over the level of cutbacks to the squad but believes current boss McKinnon has greater resources at his disposal.

Houston said: “I might be wrong but I’ve been told Dundee United’s budget is bigger now in the Championship than when I left.

“And we were third, fourth and fourth and playing in Europe every year but their budget is bigger now than when I left the club. That’s if the figures I’ve been told are right.

“United have come down and recognised that they want to get back up in one season because you can be in this division for a long time if you don’t go about it the right way.”

Falkirk are already nine points adrift of joint leaders Hibs and United and Houston admits not being able to sign new players is a blow to their title hopes.

He added: “It’s a wee bit disappointing when you see what the bigger clubs are doing.”

Striker Conor Sammon has struggled since joining Hearts in the summer.