Scotland manager Craig Levein feels Dundee United should have acted quicker to dismiss rumours regarding Peter Houston's role at the club.
The Scotland assistant's position at Tannadice Park had come under scrutiny following a string of mediocre results but it took the Arabs a little while to respond to media speculation that he may have soon been out of a job.
Levein, Houston's old boss at United, has slammed the club for not showing immediate support for Houston who has decided to take a step back from Scotland duties to concentrate on club matters.
"I'm angry because Dundee United should have come out long before now and dismissed all of this nonsense," Levein said.
"I don't know where this has come from but if someone behind the scenes has been briefing the press, then that's disgraceful.
"Housty has had a really difficult job this season.
"We built a team there but a lot of them left in the summer.
"He has had to start again almost, he's had his wage bill cut and he has lost his best players.
"The club should have come out a while ago to say 'look, we are going through a transitional period, we are working with younger players and it's going to take time'.
"For anyone to question the job he has done there is just ridiculous. It's hard enough being a football manager but particularly when people question you even when you have lost your best players.
"I feel very strongly about it and am glad to see this statement has been made, but it should have been made far far earlier."
