Houston has worked with Levein at Hearts, Leicester and Dundee United

Scotland's new assistant coach Peter Houston believes defender Andy Webster merits a recall to the national squad.

Houston says the Dundee United player, on loan from Rangers, is good enough to return to the international set-up.

He said: "Arguably he has been our best player this season. Walter Smith wanted him to go out and get games and every week he has been outstanding.

"In games he has not played, we have lost goals. That's great credit to Andy. He certainly has a presence."

The Dundee United manager, speaking to the media for the first time in his capacity as assistant to Scotland boss Craig Levein, added: "He's a strong character and, most of all, he is getting back to full fitness again.

"His confidence is good and his performances have been excellent as well."

Webster was absent from the United line-up when the team shipped three goals at home to St Johnstone and four away to Kilmarnock at the end of January.

And the previous month he missed the Terrors' 7-1 drubbing at Ibrox.

But he has been a key figure more recently as United's form has stabilised.

Houston was Levein's number two at Hearts, Leicester and United and will work on a game-by-game basis for Scotland.

"I am in charge at Dundee United until the end of the season and (United chairman) Stephen Thompson agreed to let me away for the friendly against the Czech Republic.

"Craig and I spoke about the role being part-time. He would like me to join him when the squad comes together. It's great for your CV and great to work alongside some super players.

"When somebody like the Scotland manager wants you to help him, it's a huge honour so I'm really pleased to be given this opportunity.

"Hopefully I'll be able to continue this into the qualifying games for the European Championship."

There are a lot of good players and if anyone can bring the best out of them it will be Craig Levein Scotland assistant coach Peter Houston

When Levein left Tannadice to take over from the sacked George Burley in December, Houston took over in a caretaker capacity before being appointed manager in January until the end of the season.

But he seems ambivalent about his role come the end of May.

"I've got a very open mind whether I do what I've been doing, as an assistant and coach and training the players every day, or do the management side, because I enjoy it," he told reporters at Hampden.

In the meantime, he is looking forward to working with the Scotland squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic in March.

"There are a lot of good players and if anyone can bring the best out of them it will be Craig Levein," said Houston.

And he spoke confidently about the challenge of competing with Spain, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein in the qualifying stages for Euro 2012.

He said: "Why fear anybody? If you have organisation, professionalism and, if everybody's fit and we carry a bit of luck, there's a lot to look forward to.

"The Czech Republic games are going to be huge. What's to stop us going over there and getting something?

"Spain are top quality. Sometimes it's not always the top teams that win matches. There will be times when we don't have the ball a lot, but if you work extremely hard, anything can happen.

"That's what might have to happen when we play Spain."

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