Dundee United manager Houston confirmed on Thursday he will not be renewing his current contract when it expires in the summer, but stressed he is still fully committed to the club for now.
The Tannadice boss knows some fans may question his motivation for the remainder of the campaign now that he has taken the decision to move on.
But he hopes a win at Rugby Park will allow the focus to shift back to results on the park, rather than his own situation.
Houston said: "I wasn't looking for a reaction from the players when I told them I was leaving.
"I want the reaction to be on Saturday, when we play Kilmarnock.
"I told them we have to make sure we are focused.
"We have trained magnificently this week and there was a good spirit, as there always is.
"I've got the reports, I've done my home work for Saturday. I know the game-plan when we go to Rugby Park.
"We put this to bed now and hopefully the one thing that will keep the fans from being unhappy is if the team starts winning again."
United currently sit eighth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table, with Houston determined to go out on a high.
He firmly believes the top six is achievable again this term and has no fears about the motivation and commitment of his players either.
He said: "I still believe we can finish in the top six and I still believe we can put a run together because they are a great bunch of boys.
"They work ever so hard. They don't always play well but you can never guarantee that anyway.
"They work hard, they train hard and their attitude is absolutely spot on.
"I don't have a problem with any player in the dressing room.
"I can have no complaints about the attitude and efforts of the players at Dundee United Football Club."
Houston took the decision to quit because he feels he has taken United as far as he can at a time when further cutbacks are inevitable at the club.
But he sees no reason why the upcoming vacancy should not be an attractive prospect for someone else.
He said: "This is a fantastic football club, with a great bunch of supporters.
"There are plenty of good managers out there who will be willing to take the challenge on.
"I just feel that I've fought hard enough to try to keep the team on an even keel if there are continued cuts.
"Maybe a change of voice, a change of attitude, might help the football club and it might get a lift."
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