United are still in it - Houston

Peter Houston insists that his Dundee United side still have a realistic chance of progressing in the Europa League despite going down to a narrow 1-0 defeat against AEK Athens in the first-leg of their qualifier at Tannadice.

French-born Algerian international Rafik Djebbour scored the only goal of the contest in the eleventh minute to earn the Greek side a clear advantage in the tie ahead of the return next week.

But Houston was naturally refusing to give up hope and instead remains confident that his side are still very much in the mix.

"If you ask me if we are out of the tie I have to say no," he told The Courier. "It is a massive task in front of us but we have a chance. As it stands we're out so we have to go there and go for it. If we go out there, work as hard and be as committed but pass the ball better then who knows what can happen?

"I cannot fault the players for effort and commitment," he continued. "AEK are an experienced European team and the biggest disappointment for me is that we gave the ball away too cheaply and too often.

"We can use the ball better and the players know that themselves. That was down to nerves. We don't have much European experience — not many of them have performed at this level in their careers and it showed. We tried too hard at times."

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