Dundee United boss Craig Levein believes Garry Kenneth has finally woken up to his own potential.The 20-year-old centre-back won the Scottish Young Player of the Month award for March following some excellent performances which saw him keep a place in the side ahead of Darren Dods for the CIS Insurance Cup final against Rangers.

Levein gave the youngster a very public rebuke last season when he sent him on loan to Cowdenbeath after growing dissatisfied with his lack of focus.

Kenneth, who is likely to come back into the team against Motherwell on Saturday after missing two Scottish Premier League games through suspension, has had to be patient in order to get his chance because of the form of Dods and Lee Wilkie.

But Levein rates him on par with those two, and said: "It's great for Garry to get the award and he deserves it because he had a great month and has had a good season.

"He's not played every game but when you consider the quality we have with Darren Dods and Lee Wilkie you see how difficult it is to get in there.

"But the fact I chose to play him in the CIS Cup final and that he kept his place in the team is the highest compliment I can give out.

"He was really at the top of his game before getting suspended and he's still improving.

"Sometimes he doesn't grasp how fortunate he is to have all the tools needed to do the job and at times he's not applied himself in the manner his talents require.

"He's got all the attributes but the final thing needed to put it together is actually himself.

"He's always had talent - he's got decent pace, is good in the air, is a fantastic passer of the ball and for a young player he reads the game well - but in the past he didn't do himself justice."

Levein feared Kenneth could squander his ability and so used the shock tactics of sending him out for a spell in Division Three.

The defender was lavished with praise after making his debut as a 16-year-old and his manager insists it was only natural his head would be turned.

Levein said: "We can't forget that Garry is just a kid, really, and not many boys will go straight from school to a club of this size and grasp straight away what a chance they've got.

"The praise he got as a really young boy was over the top and it's only a certain type of character who can deal with it.

"He's a lad who you need to keep on top of all the time, keep pushing him along. But the penny will drop and I think it has a bit already.

"My biggest hate in football is people who have talent but don't make the most of it. I hate that and it really frustrates me.

"He's still prone to the odd silly moment, like when he got sent off against Hearts a few weeks ago, but this season I've seen a massive improvement in him."

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