Dylan’s an absolute gem.. but don’t tell anyone!
Fletch fears bigging up Levitt in case other clubs come calling
Steven Fletcher could wax lyrical about just how good his new Dundee United team-mate Dylan Levitt is.
But the big striker is scared to talk up the Welsh wonder too much – in case clubs try to snare him from Tannadice.
Levitt impressed for United in Thursday night ’ s fantastic Europa Conference League first- leg win over Dutch cracks AZ Alkmaar. After an outstanding loan spell on Tayside last year, ga f fer Jack Ross managed to sign the 21- year- old on a permanent dea l f rom Manchester United.
And Fletcher believes the Old Trafford academy graduate is a top player in the making.
The former Scotland striker says he’s a joy to play with and expects him to prosper for Dundee United – as long as they can hold on to him.
As he prepared for today’s league clash with Livingston at Tannadice, Fletcher said: “I can’t talk Levitt up too much because I don’t want him to get taken off us.
“He’s a great player. You can tell he has come from an academy like Manchester United’s.
“He will be so good for us, as long as he stays.
“From what I heard from the boys, he enjoyed it when he was up here last season.
“Credit to him because it can be a tough one to leave a big club like that. Some people hang about at clubs like Man United for a long time and nothing really comes from it.
“But he has taken that step of leaving and coming to us permanpermanently, which showshows he wants to play football.
“He’s got great awawareness and is alalways on the hhalf-turn.
“As soon as he tuturns, I try to mmake runs of f him and so does Tony Watt on the left winwing.
“It’s greatgre for us and hopefully it will be good for him as well.”
Fletcher didn’t do too badly against the Eredivisie side, getting the better of his old Stoke
City pal Bruno Martins Indi, the AZ skipper.
It looks like he’s enjoying a new lease of life under Ross after returning to Scotland in the summer. And he’s revealed that a 45-minute chat with his gaffer a YEAR ago made him want to be part of his plans. F l e t che r said: “He has been brilliant wi th me. I spoke to the gaffer when he was still at Hibs.
“They were playingying Stoke in a pre-season friendly and we talked for 45 minutes after the game.
“I came away thinking that I would like to play for him one day if I got the chance.
“This was the right time for me to come back up the road. I always knew that if he was in a job, I’d speak to him first.
“It just so happened that we were both looking for a club at the same time – and found the same one at Dundee United.”
“The manager has been great to me so far and hopefully he can get a few more years out of me.
“Maybe in my younger days I didn’t look after myself properly but I do now and I have kept myself fit.” Fletcher is excited to see what Ross can build at Tannadice but he has been impressed by additions like Levitt, Jamie McGrath (on loan from Wigan) and Thursday night’s match winner Glenn Middleton (from Rangers).
And he’s keen to be the focal point of United’s attack with young, hungry at tackers playing around him. And that’s what gives him belief that Ross’ side can f iniinishsh the job in Alkmaar thisweektothisweekto reachreachtheEuroplaytheEuroplay-offs against either Riga FC of Latvia or Portuguese outfit Gil Vicente who are level at 1-1.
Fletcher, who posed a real handful to the Dutch defence at Tannadice in midweek, said: “I’d like to think I’ve got more to my game now than just goals.
“I like an assist now as well! I’m 35 so I’m not chasing goal records.
“Winning is the most important thing for me and if I can score a few to help the team, I’ll be happy.
“My movement can create space for others – you saw that with Glenn’s goal on Thursday night.
“We’ve got a good balance with Dylan and Jamie coming in, as well as Glenn’s pace.
“Jamie’s a clever player. I’d only trained with him for a day and could see his quality straight away.
“Even after a session, I could tell he’s a talent.
“We’ve got a really talented squad, I’ve been surprised by how good the young lads are here.
“Listen, Thursday night will be a tough game, we’re not thinking this tie is done.
“It’ll be difficult over there but we’re looking forward to it. We have given ourselves a chance by leading 1- 0.
“We enjoyed the moment because you never know when they might come round again.
“Hopefully, we can get over the line this week.
“But we’ve got a big league game against Livingston first where we need to try and get three points.”