And, having only trained a couple of times a week with the amateur outfit, United were conscious of the need to ease him into their ways when the players came back from their summer break last week.

That saw the left-back rested from the double session yesterday, but, otherwise, he’s come through with flying colours.

“He was feeling his groin a wee bit yesterday, so it was wise to let him work on his own, but I’d already told him I was going to take him out of the full training,” said Houstie.

“That was purely down to the fact he’ll need time to adjust to full-time training, but maybe not as much as I thought because, so far, he’s been doing great.”

Douglas has also impressed when the ball’s been out and will be involved when a strong squad heads for the Oban tournament on Saturday.

The event on the west coast might even see him tried out in a new position.

“He’s a good footballer and, while I’ve signed him as a left-back, I might take this chance to move him one forward on the left and see how he does,” added Houstie.

Meanwhile, defender Mihael Kovacevic will be allowed to return home to Switzerland for a break while he awaits surgery on his damaged knee ligaments.

The right-back has already had minor surgery following his tearing a cruciate and will undergo a major op. later this month.

That will keep him out for up to seven months, but, before he can have the surgery, he has to let the joint settle down.

And while they are away in Austria, United have decided to give the Swiss U/21 international some home time.