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Falkirk manager Peter Houston admits he is planning to create more happy memories at Tannadice as he prepares to return to former club Dundee United for the first time in the away dugout.
Houston, who guided United to Scottish Cup glory in 2010, left the club under a cloud in January 2013 after admitting his concern over chairman Stephen Thompson’s plan to make cuts to the playing budget.
The 58-year-old is not sure how he will be received by the home fans on Saturday but admits he will always cherish the six-and-half years he spent on Tayside.
Houston, who is hoping to get a response from his players tomorrow following last weekend’s 4-2 defeat to Raith Rovers, said: “It’s my first trip back up to Tannadice as an opposition manager.
“I’ve no idea what the reaction will be from the fans, it’s been quite a while since I left there.
“I had great times there, United are a great club and I spent nearly seven years there as assistant manager and manager.
“I’ve been to cup finals that we lost and obviously won the cup with them.
“We were in Europe a number of times as well, I have got a lot of fond memories with Dundee United, times you will never forget.
“Winning the cup with them was special but we’re now in opposition.”
Falkirk came out on top 3-1 in the first meeting between the teams last month but United have responded with three wins during a four game unbeaten run – a productive spell that has taken Ray McKinnon’s team up to second in the Championship.
Houston is in no doubt that his old side, who were relegated from the Premiership last season, will be in promotion contention come the end of the campaign.
He added: “A lot of people United fans were probably disgruntled that they lost at Falkirk but I knew once they got up and running, and it takes time because Ray has had to change a lot of squad members, that they would be a team to be reckoned with, a force.
“Going to Tannadice for any team is not easy but we’ll try and look after ourselves.
“We’ll need to be at our best because their supporters will be behind them.
“Ray knows the league well and he’s recruited well so far, he still had money to spend.
“He’ll know more than anyone that this division is one that they’ll have to be at it in every minute.
“United fans will be wanting to bounce back in season one, we’ve seen teams in the past that wanted to do that and it’s not that easy. We’re in the same boat, we want up there too.”
