Former Dundee United manager Peter Houston believes that 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, while fellow Championship promotion rivals 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 that 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 his concerns over the level of cut-backs 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 that 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: “I had a chat with the chairman on Monday and we can’t bring anyone in unless I move people on so there’s no money for me.
“It’s a wee bit disappointing when you see what the bigger clubs are doing and I can understand why they can do it because it’s a big, big thing for Dundee United and Hibs to go toe-to-toe to try and get out of this division.”
