CRAIG LEVEIN has thrown his hat into the ring as a possible candidate to replace Robbie Neilson as Dundee United manager.

The former Hearts gaffer spent four years as Terrors boss before managing Scotland in 2010 and is adamant he would jump at the chance to go back to Tayside.

Levein is currently on the hunt for a new job after leaving his role as director of football at Tynecastle earlier this month.

And the 55-year-old has told how he is ready to open talks with United owner Mark Ogren and sporting director Tony Asghar.

Speaking to BBC Sportsound, Levein said: “I had four years at Dundee United and as much as I loved my time at Hearts those four years were quite special for me.

I managed to build up a really strong team.

“I would never say never to the Dundee United job.

“But I don’t know the structure of Dundee United and it is something I would need to look at in great detail if I was offered the chance to get the job.

“I would have to look at it in great detail before I accepted.

“Would I be open to it? Yeah. Having a conversation is something that I think would be interesting.”