LEVEIN: ROBBO WILL GIVE UNITED HART

CRAIG LEVEIN last night secured Barry Robson on a new deal – then insisted the Dundee United skipper is a carbon copy of new Celtic star Paul Hartley.

Levein reckons Robson is on a mission to fulfil his undoubted potential just like former Hearts ace Hartley, who continued his meteoric rise by clinching a move to Parkhead on the final day of the transfer window.

The United boss tied up Robson at Tannadice with a contract extension until summer 2011 before using Hartley as proof that the sky’s the limit when all-important attitude matches natural ability.

Levein, who was responsible for launching Hartley’s career at Tynecastle, said: “I said to Barry when we were having a chat recently that he reminds me very much of Paul Hartley.

“Both players messed about basically and didn’t take their football seriously until their mid-20s. Now they’re trying to make up for lost time. Barry will tell you that himself.

“Football wasn’t his prime thought when he got up first thing in the morning and when he went to bed last thing at night, but it is now.He’s completely dedicated to playing for as long as he can and being as good as he can be.

“He doesn’t remind me completely of Paul as a player as they’ve got different attributes.But mentally and the way he’s talking just now, it’s a remarkably similar situation.

“They’ve always had the ability but haven’t had the necessary application. But when you’re willing to learn and make yourself better nobody can really tell where the improvement stops when you get that in your head.

“When you understand the job you’re meant to be doing and think about it more you start to improve.

“I think Barry has improved even in the last three or four months.Now that he’s got it into his head what he wants to do and what he has to do to get there, I think there’s a massive amount of improvement to come.”

Robson was a surprise omission from the Scotland B squad for next week’s friendly clash with Finland, but the 29-year-old has vowed to live his Scotland dream under new national manager Alex McLeish.

Robson said: “I’ve still got a lot to achieve in my career. I’ve played in Europe a couple of times and in a Scottish Cup Final and Scotland is one of my main personal ambitions.

“I would still like to play for my country and play at the very highest level.

“It was disappointing not to be included considering I’m one of the highest scorers in the league so far this season.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of people in the game and a few of them are bemused. But there’s a new manager and I just need to prove myself by scoring goals and keeping on doing the things I’ve been doing.

“Hopefully it will happen. I’ve had two B international caps already and I probably wasn’t playing even half as well as I am at the moment – and that’s the most disappointing thing.”

Robson was convinced to pledge his future to Levein’s new-look side as they bid to make the Arabs a force to be reckoned with again, starting with Saturday’s last-16 Scottish Cup clash away to Inverness.

Robson said:“ The manager and chairman are ambitious and I’m exactly the same. I’m sure the club wouldn’t want to sign a player who doesn’thaveany ambition.

“I think the club’s going to go forward and the manager said me staying would send out a messagethat we really mean business.

“They offered me very good terms so I’m really looking forward to the future with a lot of confidence.”

Taken from the Daily Record