Dundee United boss Craig Levein is relishing another return to Hearts because he knows his players relish the unique Tynecastle atmosphere.The Tangerines have won on their last three visits to the Edinburgh stadium, beating Hearts twice and also defeating Aberdeen in the CIS Insurance Cup semi-final.

Their dominance on those occasions has been so great they have scored 11 goals with only two conceded, and they return on Saturday in the Scottish Premier League.

Levein, who served Hearts as a player and manager, knows well from his 19 years at the club how hostile playing at Tynecastle can become.

However he has been delighted to find his young squad can handle the charged atmosphere.

He said: "Tynecastle is a great stadium, it's the only one of its type in Scotland where the fans are so close to the pitch and that lends itself to creating a great atmosphere.

"Hearts fans will be right behind their players because they're desperate to get into the top six and I'm sure our fans will be very vocal too so I'm expecting loads of noise.

"Our record at Tynecastle is decent and we've got good experience of there from the recent semi-final.

"We'll try to use that positively because my players are on a learning curve.

"When you go to somewhere and do well it gives you confidence to go back and do it again.

"If players feel a bit more relaxed on the ball then that's a great start because when people are uptight they don't play as well.

"I'm confident we'll do well on Saturday, but whether that's enough to win us the match I don't know - a lot will depend on what Hearts are like.

"I'd imagine this is their last chance to push for a place in the top six so I'm sure Stevie Frail will have them ready and fired up for the game.

"I believe they have sold their tickets out so it's going to be really conducive to a good match."

Saturday's journey to the capital will be an emotional one for striker Mark de Vries, who returns to face his former club for the first time since moving with Levein to Leicester in 2005.

The Dutchman signed for United on a short-term deal in January and starred in their semi-final win over the Dons, but this will be the first time he has faced the Jambos.

De Vries scored four goals on his Edinburgh derby debut back in 2002 so Levein is confident his past heroics will ensure the Hearts fans give him a good reception.

Levein said: "Mark will be looking forward to going back. He has always been well received by the fans, as you would expect from someone who scored four goals in their first derby match.

"He played in the semi-final and did very well but this is the first time he'll be in front of the Hearts fans and he'll relish that experience.

"His fitness is improving all the time and even though he's still not quite there yet he's making a valuable contribution to the team."

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