| The Tangerines take on Unirea Urziceni tonight in the first game of their tour of Austria, but Houstie isn’t worried about who appears between the sticks for the game.
Instead, he will leave the decision in the safe hands of Steve Banks.
First-choice goalie Dusan Pernis is not here owing to the manager giving him a break after the World Cup, but new signing Filip Mentel is in contention alongside Banks.
Houstie said, “Goalkeeper-wise, with Dusan not being here just now, I’ll speak to Banksy and say ‘who’s playing tonight?’
“Banksy got three games in Oban and Filip got two. I don’t know if they want a half each or not — I’m not that bothered about that.
“I’m not too worried about who’s going in goal because the two of them are excellent keepers.”
The manager will also use the opportunity to try out players in different positions as he prepares for the start of the new season.
“We just need to get a game under our belt,” continued Houstie.
“When you look at the games tonight and Sunday, it’ll be nowhere near the team that starts on August 14, because there will be people having to play out of position.
“To be perfectly honest, in pre-season I don’t worry about results or anything. In the past, we’ve won 4-0 in games and we've lost 4-0 in games, so it means absolutely nothing.
“It’s just a build-up. We’re playing a top European side, but, to me, it’s important in a fitness sense to see where we are.”
And Houstie is confident the competition for places in the squad can produce another good season out of the players, as they battle to secure their spot in the starting XI.
He added, “I feel content going into the season. Kovacevic is out for a while, but Dillon and Watson are challenging for his place.
“I’ve got Dixon and Barry Douglas challenging for left-back, and the two of them are buzzing just now.
“When I look at the middle of the park, I’ve got Jennison Myrie-Williams, Danny Swanson, Scott Robertson, Prince Buaben, Morgaro Gomis, Craig Conway and Ryan Dow, who is a smashing young player, albeit he’s not ready to play every single week.
“And then I’ve got about six strikers. I bet there’s loads of SPL managers who would bite your hand off for the squad I've got — so I’ve no complaints.
“The competition for places is vital.”
Meanwhile, United midfielder Prince Buaben finally joined up with the rest of the squad in the early hours of this morning after initially being refused entry into Germany because he didn’t have the required visa to go with his Ghanaian passport.
Buaben was given the morning off from training today so he could catch up on sleep after his overnight journey.
However, he is expected to be in contention to play some part in tonight’s game against Unirea.
United have been allocated a batch of tickets at discounted prices for season-ticket holders for the pre-season friendly away to Hull City on Saturday, July 31.
Prices are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions (over 60s and those aged 22 and under). Tickets are available at the club shop (proof of season-ticket status is required).
Non-season-ticket holders can pay at the gate with entry costing £15 for adults, £10 concessions (over 60s and 16-22-year-olds) and £5 for under-15s.
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