Scottish Premier League club Dundee United appointed former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara as their new manager on Wednesday. McNamara was given permission by Scottish First Division side Partick to speak to United on Tuesday and he has now taken charge at Tannadice after agreeing a three-year contract. The former Celtic captain was hired to replace Peter Houston and has brought his Partick assistant Simon Donnelly to work alongside him. \"I am thrilled and proud to be named manager of Dundee United and believe I have been handed a fantastic opportunity,\" McNamara said. \"This is an established Scottish Premier League Club with a fantastic playing squad, infrastructure and youth set up and I cannot wait to start working with the players.\" McNamara will begin his United career with a Scottish Cup fifth-round clash against Rangers at Tannadice on Saturday. From FIFA