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Houston plans Euro shock

Image: Peter Houston: The Dundee United boss wants his side to send shockwaves around Europe

Peter Houston has called on his Dundee United players to add Dynamo Moscow to the list of European giant-killings at Tannadice.

United boss believes a clean sheet would be the perfect start

Peter Houston has called on his Dundee United players to add Dynamo Moscow to the list of European giant-killings at Tannadice. Teams like Borussia Monchengladbach, Roma and Barcelona have all left the famous old ground empty-handed in years gone by. The mega-money Muscovites are the next big continental side in town as they prepare for Thursday's home leg of their third-round Europa League tie. Dynamo splashed out around £15million to land Hungarian winger Balazs Dzsudzsak from Anzhi Makhachkala in January and feature the likes of German hitman Kevin Kuranyi and former Liverpool forward Andriy Voronin. Houston, though, believes shocks are still a big part of football and points to the way Mura 05 dumped CSKA Sofia out in the last round as the blueprint for success. The Slovenian minnows held out for a goalless draw at home and then drew 1-1 away to ensure a place in the next round and Houston want more of the same from his players. "If we have a bit more belief in ourselves we might just surprise them," he said. "I watched the game between Mura and CSKA Sofia in the previous round and that could happen to us. "That is why it is not important to lose a goal at home. It is not a bad thing to be at home first. They are a top side but if we get through the game with a decent scoreline - and I reckon 0-0 is decent - we have got a chance over there. "It is important to remember that shocks do happen in Europe. Mura proved that and, there is no doubt about it, it will be a shock if we beat Moscow. "They have huge resources but upsets happen and I'd love nothing better for us to shock the Russians on Thursday.

Shut the door

"The biggest thing is not to lose a goal at home and I would take that right now. "Although we will go and attack them the most important thing is to shut the door. That takes concentration and a bit of luck." Houston is wary that the Russian side may be stung into action by their poor start to the season having lost their opening two matches. Dynamo currently sit bottom of the Russian Premier League after losing 2-0 to rivals Zenit St Petersburg at the weekend. And the United boss fears a break from the pressures of their domestic competition may bring out the best in them. "Dyamano had a bad result against Zenit on Saturday and they did not play at their best but they are still a top side," he warned. "I have heard their manager is under a bit of pressure but we are prepared for a backlash because they might even be more dangerous."

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