By David McDaid

Pressley has become a manager for the first time

Dundee United manager Peter Houston believes Steven Pressley is the man who can save Falkirk from relegation.

Pressley, who played under Houston at Hearts, took over as manager at the Scottish Premier League's bottom club following the departure of Eddie May.

"Steven's got all the credentials to be a manager." Houston told BBC Scotland.

"He's a leader of men and has the character and desire to do well. If there's anyone who can pull them out of a hole, I'm sure Steven can do it."

May left his post at Falkirk on Thursday having won only four matches from 27 since taking over from John Hughes in the summer.

The club moved quickly to promote first-team coach Pressley, with previous director of football, Alex Smith, as his assistant.

Despite having coaching experience with both Falkirk and the Scotland national squad, this is Pressley's first appointment as a manger.

But his former coach, Houston, believes the former Scotland defender will be a success.

"He was a great captain for us at Hearts and he's had a taste of being assistant and coach," said the United manager. "Now he's got the step up.

"It's always something he's targeted. Whether he was going to target it this quickly, I don't know.

"But I'm convinced Steven will do a tremendous job at Falkirk.

"One thing about Steven is he's determined and 100% sure he's going to get Falkirk out of trouble.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Pressley's appointment

"He phoned me this morning and he's excited but really disappointed Eddie's left, because Eddie's someone he admired in a lot of ways."

Houston takes his United team to St Mirren on Saturday hoping to banish the memory of a poor 2-0 midweek defeat at home by Hamilton Accies.

"I'm 100% sure we'll get a positive reaction and hopefully we'll get a good result," he said.

"I told the players after the Accies game they didn't do well; they're an honest bunch and they knew that.

"But they've perked up in training the last couple of days and they know they'll have to be at their best to get anything against a very strong St Mirren team who are going well in the league and cups lately."

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