Mark: I'd Dedicate Cup Win To Boss

Feb 10 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

REBORN Mark De Vries would love to lift the CIS Cup for Dundee United and repay his mentor Craig Levein.

The big Dutch striker was instrumental in the Arabs' semi triumph over Aberdeen and can't wait for the Hampden showpiece on March 16.

Everyone connected with the club dedicated the 4-1 win over Dons to the cancer-stricken chairman Eddie Thompson.

But on a personal level De Vries is hell bent on producing the goods for a gaffer who has now signed him three times.

The 32-year-old worked with Levein at Hearts and Leicester and didn't hesitate for a second to hook up with him again.

De Vries rates the United boss so highly he reckons if the Foxes had stuck by him they might just have been on their way to the English Premiership.

Instead, the Championship side got rid of Levein and Tannadice supremo Thompson is now reaping the benefits.

De Vries revealed how some Leicester players let down their manager by refusing to give him total commitment.

He said: "The gaffer had a bit of a setback at Leicester but I'm sure he'll get back to the top.

"By reaching the CIS final he has taken another step forward.

"Being third in the SPL, just as he was at Hearts, is not luck or coincidence - it's purely down to what he does.

"He gets all the players' noses pointing in the same direction and it's a pleasure working with Craig. He didn't get enough time at Leicester.

"Some players didn't buy into his work ethic. When he was sacked I knew I was in trouble and that was frustrating."

Mark is relishing his second coming in Scottish football and can't quite believe he has reached a cup final for the first time since he was a teenager.

Despite not being fully fit he has already made a difference to the Arabs' front line.

De Vries said: "I've been out for a while so it has been tough.

I've never played in a cup final except maybe when I was14.

"It feels great and now I'd love to get some silverware."