Pass marks for Levein as United fail league test

Dundee United 0, Hearts 0

JIM McLEAN, Dundee United's chairman/managing director and manager, should add the title of prophet to that already impressive nom de plume.

In the match programme, he mused on the difficulties of winning home matches, caused by a need to force the play when there is a shortage of creative players available.

The dull 90 minutes that followed did little to dispel that belief as a workmanlike Hearts side examined the Tannadice men's title ambitions and found them wanting.

With United teenager Billy McKinlay suspended, industry replaced inspiration.

The loss of transferred Eamonn Bannon and Ian Redford has seldom been so acutely felt by United this term as Hearts keeper Henry Smith spent most of the day as a spectator.

Utility player Dave Bowman operated on the left of midfield with the apparent intention of stopping Gary Mackay from performing, which seemed strange tactics against a team struggling to hit their customary heights in the premier division.

Jim McInally was his usual combative self, although Miodrag Krivokapic continues to look as though the game, as well as the English language, continues to pass him by.

The problem may be solved when Darren Jackson, the £200,000 signing from Newcastle, is fit to take his place.

Because of an ankle injury picked up in his debut against Celtic, the former Meadowbank player has managed just four minutes of top-team action since his return to Scotland, but his anticipated comeback may well be delayed further as he limped out of reserve-team action on Friday night.

All is well at the back.

The Tannadice defence has surrendered only two goals in their last 10 games in addition to extending an unbeaten run to 15 matches.

Billy Thomson continued to search for international recognition with a couple of marvellous saves to deny John Colquhoun, who was the most impressive striker afield.

Defensive plaudits extended to Hearts with the successful return of Craig Levein.

The accomplished Fifer twice has suffered the sort of injury setback that ends careers.

This latest comeback, after a year on the sidelines, even touched the heart of United manager Jim McLean who said: "The Scottish game cannot afford to lose players of Levein's quality."

The return of Levein, coupled with the successful introduction of teenage full-back Alan McLaren and Tosh McKinlay, virtually has given the Edinburgh side a new defence on which to build, and indications are that they are ready to mount a serious Scottish Cup assault.

DUNDEE UNITED -- Thomson, Bowman, Malpas, McInally, Hegarty, Narey, French, Krivokapic, Gallacher, Cleland, Paatelainen.

Substitutes -- McGinnis, Sturrock.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, McPherson, Berry, Levein, Galloway, Mackay, Colquhoun, Robertson, Bannon.

Substitutes -- Ferguson, Sandison.

Referee -- G Smith (Edinburgh)