I’ve seen a lot of young stars but Levitt is special, insists Fletcher
IT takes a special kind of talent to illuminate a bright orange jersey. But, not for the first time, Dylan Levitt was in the mood to light it up for Dundee United. On his first outing since moving to Tannadice on a permanent deal earlier this summer, the Welsh midfielder demonstrated once again why he is so highly rated.
There was a point early in the second half when, not unreasonably, three different Kilmarnock players scampered across the turf in an effort to close Levitt down as he lined up a shot.
By that point, though, the damage had already been done. in the closing stages of the first half, it was Levitt who had lashed Dundee United into a 1-0 lead.
some players just don’t really do tap-ins. As evidenced by him scoring several screamers in a loan stint at Tannadice last season, this was another example of Levitt’s penchant for the spectacular.
Arriving on the edge of the box to support the attack, he stepped on to a clever back-heel from striker steven Fletcher to rifle the ball into the top corner beyond Killie keeper sam Walker.
This was Fletcher’s first game at club level in scotland since he left hibs in 2009. The past 13 years have been spent at various clubs in England.
he has witnessed a lot of talented young players coming through the ranks down south. But, in former Manchester United youngster Levitt, he senses a truly gifted operator.
‘i had seen a few clips of him before i arrived,’ said the 35-year-old former scotland striker, who had a fine game himself.
‘But i knew straight away as soon as i arrived at the club, after the first training session, i could see he had real quality.
‘it’s just the way he takes the ball, you can see the technique. i’ve played with a lot of young kids down in England.
‘he probably feels more at home now. i think he liked it up here last season when he came on loan. Now it’s permanent, i’m sure that’s helped him feel more settled overall. it’s a new home for him.’
it might well prove to be one of the deals of the season that United were able to lure Levitt from Old Trafford to Tannadice on a permanent basis on a two-year deal.
Wales boss Rob Page is a huge admirer and, if Levitt can showcase his talents at the World Cup later this year, the club would no doubt sell him for a tidy profit next summer.
For his part, Fletcher assumed the role of another former Manchester United player in Zlatan ibrahimovic; a veteran striker — sporting a ‘man-bun’ hairstyle — who linked the play quite brilliantly as the focal point of his team’s attack.
Maybe Fletcher has similar intentions to Zlatan and will look to play on until he’s 40. But what was clear on saturday is just how much Dundee United’s play will revolve around him up front.
Jack Ross and his players face a punishing schedule, with the first leg of a Europa Conference League qualifier to come against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night.
Asked if he’s capable of playing three games a week at his age, Fletcher said: ‘Listen, i’ll play as many games as i can.
‘Don’t get me wrong, i don’t want to be playing on an artificial surface every week. But i want to play as often as i can. i’ve kept myself in good shape and still feel like i’m capable.
‘We know it’ll be tough. Alkmaar are a good team. We want to enjoy it. Especially for the younger lads, it’s a good opportunity for them.’
United might well have won this match, had midfielder ian harkes not been sent off. The first booking was really naïve, trying to nick the ball away from Killie keeper Walker as he kicked it out.
The second was for clattering into Killie’s Liam Donnelly. Forced to play the last 20 minutes with ten men, it was backs against the wall for United.
But Killie did have chances. striker Oli shaw saw a powerful left-foot shot crash off the underside of the crossbar and almost cross the line.
shaw also had a couple of other decent opportunities as Derek Mcinnes’ newlypromoted side gave a decent account of themselves against a United team who finished fourth last season.
Over the piece, defeat would have been harsh on Killie. That outcome was avoided thanks to Ash Taylor’s last-gasp equaliser which saw Rugby Park erupt in celebration.
The ball looped up into the air after the United defence had failed to clear the danger and, lurking at the back post, Taylor swung his right boot to smash it high into the roof of the net.
it was Taylor who had also netted a vital equaliser when Killie came from behind to beat Arbroath back in April to win the Championship.
The big defender said: ‘it’s becoming a habit now. Obviously i’d rather it had been the winner, but it’s always nice to get an equaliser so late in the game — especially when we really deserved something from it.’ KILMARNOCK (3-5-2): Walker ; Wright 6 (Cameron 80), Taylor , Mayo ; Alebiosu (Murray 60), Polworth 6, Power 6 (Donnelly 60), McKenzie 6, McInroy ; Shaw , Lafferty 6 (Armstrong 6 ). Subs not used: Woods, Sanders, Lyons, Waters, Watson. Booked: Power, Taylor. DUNDEE UTD (4-3-3): Birighitti ; Smith , Edwards , Mulgrew , McMann 6; Levitt 8, Sibbald , Harkes 5; Cudjoe 6 (Middleton 55), Watt (Graham 5), Fletcher 8 (Niskanen 1). Subs not used: Eriksson, Clark, Chalmers, Freeman, Meekison, Fotheringham. Booked: Harkes. Sent off: Harkes. Man of the match: Steven Fletcher. Referee: Willie Collum. Attendance: 8,014.