By Graeme Dey

GARRY KENNETH has ditched the pints for the Premiership in an effort get his Tannadice career back on track.

Nine months on from finding himself in manager Craig Levein’s bad books, Kenneth looks to be winning his battle for a future with Dundee United.

The 20-year-old spent the closing weeks of last season farmed out to Cowdenbeath as Levein, irked by the way he was living his life, sought to give him a wake-up call.

Kenneth—who played in the 2005 Scottish Cup final aged only 17—admits he’s got the message.

“The penny just dropped that I would have to change my lifestyle because the time I spent at Cowdenbeath was a real eye-opener,” he says.

“I didn’t want to end up back there. Playing full-time football is all I’ve ever wanted to do but if I’d kept on the way I was going then that’s what the future might well have held for me.

“Since that experience of being out on loan I’ve been listening to what the gaffer and the coaches have been saying and there is no doubt that I’m a better player and a better person now compared to what I was a year ago.

“I have stopped the nights out and the takeaways and because of that have lost three or four pounds in weight.

“I’m feeling much better and as a result have been working so much harder in training.

“I was going out too much and eating too many takeaway meals and you definitely suffer for it afterwards.

“The manager is looking for us to give our all in training and if you have been out then there’s no way you can do that.

“A lot of the other lads are in the same boat. They have stopped the nights out too.

“We are going home on a Saturday now and relaxing.

“I know Davie Robertson was well into his X-Factor because his missus really liked Leon.

“I watched the final because I wanted some ammunition to slag him off about, but generally on a Saturday night nowadays I just watch the games from the Premiership or the odd DVD.”

With Lee Wilkie and Darren Dods established as the first choice central defensive pairing at United, Kenneth’s appearances have been limited.

Yet when he has been handed a starting place, the Tangerines have invariably fared well—winning five of the six games in question, conceding just two goals in the process.

“I was aware of that record but had been trying to keep it quiet,” he says.

“I’ve realised that it’s how the team does rather than me that really matters and I’m just delighted to be part of what is happening here and to feel I’m making a contribution.

“A year ago if I’d been in the team and then dropped out again after playing okay I would’ve went in the huff, but now I’m able to deal with it in the proper way.

“I’m older and more mature so I know that everything isn’t about me.

“Instead of sulking about being left out I’ve realised the way to respond is by working hard and making sure that the next time I get a chance I’m ready to go again.

“If I’m on the bench I’ll support the lads on the park and if I’m in the team I know the boys not playing are supporting the rest of us.”

With Wilkie still suspended, Kenneth retains his place as Gretna come calling.

United boss Levein has banished all thoughts of seeking revenge for the defeat at Fir Park earlier this season which remains the Black and Whites’ only Premier League victory.

“I never speak about grudge matches and we are not even thinking about that game,” he said.

“There will be a different set of circumstances altogether and we are more interested in trying to pick up where we left off against St Mirren.

“The lads have looked good in training, and while you can never be 100% certain about winning any match I am hopeful.

“We want to make a good start, set a good tempo and get the fans behind us.”

Levein hinted that there could up to three new players at the club shortly after the transfer window opens.

“Danny Swanson is in anyway but we hope to get another one or two. That’s the intention, although you can never guarantee it.

“I hope to get a striker in and I am also working on something else.”

Gretna boss Davie Irons insists his struggling side can still avoid relegation.

With the hectic schedule of festive fixtures fast approaching, the season has reached a crucial stage.

Gretna sit nine points adrift at the bottom of the table.

But Irons remains his usual calm and positive self, saying, “I don’t really think these games coming up are any more important than it has been before, because when you’re adrift at the bottom of the table every game is just as important as the other.

“We know if we can get a couple of points back on St Mirren we could reduce the deficit and then put pressure on them.

“I’m confident with a bit more consistency we can turn things around, but you really do have to take it one game at a time.”

Irons and his players can certainly take heart from their 3-3 draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last Saturday.

“That performance was as good as we’ve been for a long time,” said Irons. “We scored three good goals and created numerous chances and were very unfortunate not to win it.”