By Ian Roache

DUNDEE UNITED manager Craig Levein (pictured) last night insisted he has no qualms about portraying his club as a bridge to the big time.

The Tangerines have made approximately £1.8 million through selling two of their top stars to sides with budgets that vastly exceed their own—Barry Robson to Celtic in January and Noel Hunt to Reading this week.

In an ideal world, Levein would love to have kept both on the books, but he knows he may have to make a similar decisions in future.

If that’s the case, though, it would mean the players in question would be playing well for United and helping the team be successful.

“I am not trying to kid anyone on—we are not the biggest club in the world,” said the Tannadice boss.

“I sell this club to players by telling them this is a great place to play and that it can be a stepping stone to bigger things.

“So when opportunities arise I can’t refuse them, especially when it suits me as well.

“For the players here, especially the younger lads, their financial position will improve if they get moves to bigger clubs.

“That means they are here to work their socks off in the hope of playing at the highest level possible.

“There is nothing wrong with that as long as we can find replacements—that’s the main thing.”

And Levein is satisfied that there is sufficient cover for Hunt, who officially joined Reading yesterday.

“We are well off for strikers because we have Francesco Sandaza, Warren Feeney, Andis Shala and Jon Daly—as well as Johnny Russell and David Goodwillie with a year’s more experience.

“So we are in much better shape than we were last year and I have a bit of ammunition there if I need someone else in future,” he added.

“Hunty’s going will be a loss because he scored so many goals for us last season, but I wouldn’t have let him go unless I thought we were well covered.

“Sandaza scored two goals the other night and that was great. I don’t want to put pressure on the boy, saying he is going to do this or that.

“We will leave him to settle in and see how he gets on.”

Levein may still offer a contract to trialist Spanish striker Pablo Garcia Carrascosa, despite the player not setting the heather on fire in midweek at Gayfield.

“Pablo didn’t have his best game against Arbroath but I like him and have seen things in training that were encouraging, so I will have a think about him.”

Meanwhile, Hunt has been backed to be a big hit in England by old United clubmate Christian Kalvenes, who will face him when Reading play Burnley.

“I have no doubts Noel will thrive in the Championship and, to be honest, I think he will be a handful when he comes up against us once the season gets under way,” said Kalvenes.

“Hunty is a nuisance for defenders the way he never stops, is good in the air for his size, and can take a goal as he proved last season by scoring 18 for United.”