By Ian Roache

GARRY KENNETH will fly out to Canada this week to represent his country, stung by a clinical critique of his attitude.

Kenneth and his Scotland under-20 colleagues are crossing the Atlantic tomorrow for two games against the host nation in Vancouver as part of their preparations for the World Cup, to be held there this summer.

The journey represents yet more of the glamour side of the game for the 19-year-old, who made the breakthrough into Dundee United’s first team two years ago and became the youngest-ever player to feature in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup final when he faced Celtic in May 2005.

He subsequently had scouts from other clubs—cash-laden Chelsea reportedly among them—checking out his ability.

However, United boss Craig Levein remains to be convinced he has all the attributes required to sustain a place at SPL level, never mind the English Premiership or Champions League.

So Kenneth, who still has two years of his Tannadice contract left to run, has been told in no uncertain terms the reason why a move to Cowdenbeath has preceded his Canadian trip.

He was loaned to the Fife side last Friday and featured against Forfar Athletic at Central Park the following afternoon.

And Levein left him in little doubt that he needs to sort himself out while down in Division Two.

“For me, Garry is a boy who has had a lot of recognition early in his career and sometimes I feel that is the worst thing that can happen to players,” said the manager.

“He is not playing and training like a 19-year-old just now.

“Those lads should be the hardest working and hungriest players around the place and at the moment I don’t see that from him.

“Part of the reason I chose Cowdenbeath is that it’s right down at the coal face where you have to scrap and fight for everything and I hope it makes him realise that’s what football is all about.

“This game is not about going around telling everyone that Chelsea looked at you when you were 16 or 17—what you do at that age means nothing.

“You tell people about what you have done when you are 35, not when you are just starting out.

“What I want is for Garry to be able to talk about his achievements in later years.

“He needs games but he also needs to realise that at his age it is all about enthusiasm and endeavour.

“He thinks he is already halfway there but he is not. All he has is one foot on the ladder.”

Levein warned Kenneth that he has seen several players good enough to star at a higher level forced to settle for less.

“What I want to get into Garry’s head is that he is a full-time professional on good money and if he doesn’t take advice then part-time football is where he could end up,” he said.

“This sort of thing has happened to a million players over the years.

“I am not writing him off, though.

“He has two years left on his contract and has a lot of potential but I want to nip this thing in the bud.

“Hopefully, going out on loan will reignite his enthusiasm for the game and will make him come back here wanting to be the best in training every single day.”

Meanwhile, Levein’s insistence, uttered over recent weeks, that United were playing better than their points haul over that period suggested was borne out in spectacular style on Saturday.

Hearts were hammered 4-0, thereby ending the Tangerines’ goal drought, and it could have been more.

“We have been playing well but the difference at Tynecastle was that we took our chances,” he said.

“I always knew that things would fall into place if we kept playing to the same level we were, and that is what happened.

“Playing on an excellent surface helped our passing game and this result will give the boys a bit more confidence.

“I now have one eye on next season so I will try to give some of the younger players a run out between now and the summer.”

United are considering appealing against the red card issued to midfielder David Robertson during Saturday’s match.

The midfielder was involved in a clash with Hearts’ Ibrahim Tall, who was also ordered off.