CRAIG LEVEIN reckons Christmas will come early if he's booed by Hearts fans after Saturday's clash at Tannadice.

Levein was a huge favourite with the Jambos faithful during his 18-year stint at Tynecastle but, as Dundee United boss, he is now plotting their downfall.

And he admits it will be music to his ears if he incurs the wrath of the travelling support.

Levein said: "I was at Hearts for 14 years as a player and four as manager which is a hell of a long time. I've got strong ties with the club and most weeks I'd want to see them win but this weekend is not one of them.

"I had a good relationship with the fans but if they give me a bad reception at the end I'll be delighted.

"I took on Hearts in friendlies at Cowdenbeath but this will be the first time I've faced them in a competitive match."

Levein's record of five wins in seven SPL matches, including four straight home victories, means United fans suddenly are looking at a place in the top six as a distinct possibility.

But he said: "If we start to think we're in good form and that we're favourites, I can tell you what will happen - we'll get a kick up the backside.

"Statistics about home form are irrelevant. How we approach this game is what really matters."

With Christian Kalvenes suspended and Noel Hunt out with an ankle injury, Levein is still mulling over his starting 11 for the visit of the Jambos which is followed three days later by a trip to Celtic Park.

The United boss reckons Hunt can go all the way to the top provided he copies the example of the top-drawer strikers in the game.

Levein said: "The eight goals he has scored so far is more than he got with Dunfermline last season so that tells you how he's improving.

"Noel will be out for a couple of weeks but when he's back I hope he'll kick on even more.

"He's playing well but plenty of things can affect that. The danger is him thinking he's made it because that's when things start to go wrong.

"True top-class players want to get better all the time. It's a bad time to pick up an injury because he'll miss four games.

"I've got decisions to make with regards to who I'mgoing to play up front and who will be at left-back. I've got two ideas but I'll have a longer think about it on Friday.

Taken from the Daily Record