A run of three successive home draws in November and December handed the title initiative to Rangers before a Celtic revival which means they enter this weekend's fixtures trailing their Old Firm rivals by one point with a game in-hand.
"I think he's done tremendously well," said Houston, speaking ahead of United's clash at Parkhead on Sunday.
"They hit a rocky patch round about the time we drew with them at Celtic Park. Kilmarnock drew with them and Inverness drew with them at Celtic Park.
"A lot of people looked to him to see if he had the answers and to be fair he and his team had the answers and put on a tremendous run.
"He's got a big squad of players to choose from, but you've got to pick the right team to go and win the matches. It's to his credit he's done that, results prove it."
Source: PA
Source: PA