Before they meet up for their old gaffer’s first game in charge of the national team, though, there is the not-so-small matter of picking up three league points against the Bairns to be taken care of.

And their club boss believes he can rely on their full attention to that piece of business.

“I’ve no worries on that score because I know the type of boys they are and I know they will want a good result against Falkirk before they join up with Scotland,” he said.

“Webby and Garry played well against Celtic at the weekend and will want to continue their partnership and Dicker knows he needs a game this weekend to show he’s fit again.”

Full-back Dixon has been out since straining ankle ligaments in the Scottish Cup win at St Johnstone earlier this month, but he is back training hard and is expected to return this week.

And although the game is still a few days off, the manager is already warning the players it will be a different Falkirk they face this time out.

A month ago at the Falkirk Stadium, a clinical performance saw United canter to a 4-1 victory on an afternoon when the home team were lucky to get one.

That day the Bairns looked doomed to relegation, but, with Steven Pressley replacing Eddie May in the manager’s chair, performances have improved and Saturday saw them crush Aberdeen 3-1.

“Last month, we were at our best and caught a team whose confidence was at a bit of a low ebb, but they won’t be like that this time,” added Houstie.

“They played well against Aberdeen and I see some of their players saying they feel they can go on a run now.

“It’s up to us to stop that and make sure we produce the same kind of performance as we did down there.

“We’ve also got the issue of our home form to address. Results away have been great, but we know we can do better at Tannadice and we want that to start Saturday.”

And that denied Sean Higgins and Craig McKeown the chance to show they were ready to be considered for places at Stark’s Park.

For striker Higgins, out since a knee operation following the Challenge Cup success in November, today’s call-off was a particular blow.

“He got 45 minutes against Celtic last week, but my feeling is I really need to see him get 90 minutes before I know for sure he is ready for the first-team squad again,” said Jocky.

“I might change my mind over the next few days, but, right now, I think it would be too big a risk to throw him in on Saturday.

“McKeown as well would have benefited from another game and it has to be doubtful that he’ll be involved.

“It’s disappointing, but, looking to the longer term, they have both been coming on very well and I am hopeful they will be challenging before long.”

Like most managers around the country, Jocky is now more than a little fed up with the worst winter for 30 years.

“It is a nightmare and it’s showing no signs of ending.

“At least we have the option of training on Astroturf and, in a way, that’s a godsend, but it is not my favourite surface to work on.

“A few of the boys are not comfortably training on it and, in general, it is not great for the legs.”

The one big doubt for the weekend is midfielder Richie Hart. Tight legs forced him to miss the win over Partick Thistle and his recovery is proving slow.

“It’s a problem. He had a run out against Celtic a week ago, but suffered a reaction and he’s still not right.

“He does look to be struggling for Saturday.”

However, striker Kenny Deuchar is still bothered by an ankle complaint and definitely won’t make Saturday’s away game against Hibs. Filipe Morais has recovered from injury and could find a place in the squad.

Kevin Rutkiewicz is to receive an injection on Thursday to remove inflammation from his recently operated on knee, Stuart McCaffrey and Peter MacDonald are around a month away from returning following surgery.