By Graeme Dey

DUNDEE UNITED boss Craig Levein reckons Monday’s opponents Kilmarnock will once again be the benchmark for at least half of the SPL.

Levein watched Killie hold champions Celtic at the weekend and believes Killie are going to be at least as strong a force as ever in the top flight this term.

“Kilmarnock have hit the ground running and it looks as if they have continued on from where they left off last season when they were bang in form at the finish,’’ he said yesterday.

“They are a club who have improved year on year under Jim Jefferies and if you are above them come the end of the season then you are in the top six.’’

Levein is still attempting to land a striker ahead of the trip to Rugby Park, Cedric Roussel being only one of a number of players being pursued.

“I am working on a number of fronts,’’ he said. “But things are often more complicated than they might appear.

“Trying to get some deals done over the past couple of days hasn’t been easy. But I am working away and still hope to have someone in for Monday.”

United have missed out on Blackburn youngster Joe Garner, who yesterday signed for Carlisle United in a £140,000 deal.