LEVEIN: I FEEL FOR HARTLEY BUT STILL HOPE HEARTS DROP HIM

CRAIG LEVEIN admits he has nothing but sympathy for his friend Paul Hartley - but hopes his Tynecastle torment lasts another 90 minutes.

Dundee United host Hearts on Saturday and the Tannadice boss doesn't have a clue whether Hartley, who was dropped to the bench for last Saturday's defeat by Aberdeen, will feature.

Hartley was axed after a midweek disciplinary hearing and there's no guarantee he'll be reinstated - despite playing superbly in his brief run-out against the Dons.

And the man who took the Scotland midfielder to Tynecastle during his spell as Hearts boss wants the player to be left out of the starting line-up again.

Levein said: "If I'm honest, I have to admit I hope Paul Hartley is watching the action from the stand. He's a top, top player.

"I brought him to Hearts from St Johnstone and I like him both as a player and a person. I still speak to him occasionally and I have a lot of respect for him.

"I know just how lethal he can be on the pitch. If he is on his game it can be like playing against 12 men.

"I do feel sympathy for Paul at the moment but, being selfish, I would be delighted if he was in the stand on Saturday."

Levein insists his rejuvenated team will face a severe test at the weekend despite Hearts' current problems.

He added: "Hearts still possess enough top quality players to make them very dangerous opponents.

"I must admit that with all the chopping and changing done at Hearts every week, I don't have a clue what their team will be.

"But they will be given every respect by us because they're still a very good side."

Levein has been impressed with the efforts of midfielder Mark Kerr since he arrived at Tannadice and has challenged him to show everyone he can add grace to his graft.

Kerr has excelled alongside David Robertson and skipper Barry Robson in United's five wins in seven games since Levein replaced Craig Brewster.

Much of that success has been put down to the switch to a five-man midfield and with the extra man in there to shoulder the burden, Levein wants to see Kerr play more of a role in setting up attacks.

He said: "Mark has done really well and when he is performing like he is just now he must be really difficult to play against.

"Mark's game is all about energy and enthusiasm but I would like him doing a bit more for us when we're in possession.

"I believe there's more to come from him further up the field.

"Mark is someone who has been held in high regard for a while now and alot has been expected of him.

"If he can improve his distribution of the ball he will move onto a different level as a player."

United have received positive news on the injury front after learning Noel Hunt's ankle injury is not as bad as first feared.

The Irishman, who has scored five goals in as many matches under the new boss, hobbled off during last weekend's 3-2 win over Motherwell amid fears he'd damaged ligaments.

However, the club's medical staff are confident he has not sustained serious damage.

Levein said: "I don't think we'll need to get a scan done but it looks like a twist and some ligament damage.

"He will be out for a minimum of two weeks."

Taken from the Daily Record