Houston calls for striker push

Dundee United manager Peter Houston has called upon German striker Andis Shala to force his way into the side this season.

Shala has been around the edges of the squad for the past couple of years and Houston reckons the time is right for him to start to seriously challenge the likes of Jon Daly and David Goodwillie for a first-team spot.

"This is going to be a big season for Andis because he's got a lot to prove," Houston told the Daily Record. "To be fair to him, he's been unlucky in that we've got so many quality strikers at the club and when he's been asked to come on he's done well.

"But this season he has to try to make a place his own," he added. "He might have to be patient and wait until Jon Daly is not in the team for whatever reason but when that chance comes it will be up to him to take it.

"He's a similar type to John. He's big and good in the air. I'd say he's still got to work on his touch and the way he holds the ball in but he'll get there."

Shala originally joined the Arabs from VFR Mannheim two years ago but has since largely been restricted to occasional appearances from the bench.

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