Thompson happy at Levein impact

Thompson and Levein are enjoying Utd's current form

Dundee Utd chairman Eddie Thompson has praised manager Craig Levein for the turnaround in fortunes enjoyed by the Tannadice club since his arrival.

The Tangerines sit third in the Scottish Premier League and could be joint top with Celtic should they beat Gretna on Saturday.

"I would say the last few months working with Craig have been the best since I arrived," he told BBC Sport.

"We've developed a good relationship between chairman and manager."

Interview: Dundee Utd chairman Eddie Thompson

Utd have only finished in the top-half of the table once in the last decade but have conceded only two goals this season.

We're all committed to success at Dundee Utd and it looks on the cards Dundee Utd manager Craig Levein

"We've got confidence in the team whereas before we were always concerned about the next result," Thompson added.

"Having said that, Craig and I are keeping our feet firmly on the ground and all we're thinking about is the next game.

"With a manager like Craig Levein around, nobody gets overexcited about anything when success is coming our way.

"There was a period a few years back when we did spend quite a bit and it didn't work out unfortunately."

Ian McCall, Gordon Chisholm and Craig Brewster have all managed the Tannadice club without any success in recent years.

"I'm enjoying it a bit better at the moment than I have over the last few years," Thompson said.

"I don't know what it is with Craig and myself, we seem just to have clicked and we joke together.

Thompson is happy with the way things are going at Tannadice

"He'll say to me when he comes in: 'make some money chairman so I can spend it'.

"He's obviously got leadership skills, he seems to be able to enthuse and inspire the players and when you put that all together you've got a leader and at the end of the day you get results."

Levein arrived on Tayside last October, replacing Dundee Utd legend and current Inverness CT manager Brewster.

"Back when I signed him, as far as I was concerned, we were certain relegation candidates and I think people have forgotten just what he's done." Thompson went on.

"Craig hasn't even been a year here.

"I think Craig will want to stay for the long-term, he's already started to get a little bit of success and I think he'll want to work on that and get even more.

"The way we're going at the moment, we're all committed to success at Dundee Utd and it looks on the cards."