Source: Team_Talk
Kovacevic will keep working hard
The defender has emerged as first pick for Craig Levein's team in the right-back role, forcing Irishman Sean Dillon onto the bench for much of the summer campaign, and he is set to start against the Jambos in the SPL clash at Tannadice.
Until now the United manager has used the Swiss Under-21 star sparingly, albeit saving him for the bigger matches when his defending is required, but the 21-year-old is confident he has improved as such a rate he can become the Tangerines' regular full-back.
His chances of achieving that appear to be good, if Levein's teams against Blackburn and Newcastle in their final two friendlies are to be considered a guide, but Kovacevic knows the hard work is only just beginning.
He said: "I feel like I have had a good pre-season, the manager has been picking me and I played in both the big friendly matches at Tannadice so hopefully I will keep my place in the team.
"We are ready for Hearts. It has been a hard summer, we have done a lot of work and everything has been geared up for us to win this game.
"Now it is up to the players to do our bit and get the points we need to start the season positively.
"Hearts are a good team, they beat us when we played last season so it would be nice to do it to them as well.
"I wouldn't say we will be motivated by revenge for that defeat at Tynecastle because it is a new season and that game is gone now.
"What would be good, though, would be to start the season off with a victory over one of the top teams.
"Our confidence would take a massive boost and it would help us in the other games."
Kovacevic admits he felt a pang of jealousy when he saw the Jambos - who pipped United to third place - draw Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.
The Croatians will come to Tynecastle on Thursday for their first qualifying match and Kovacevic, who started his career in Zagreb, is struggling to pick a winner.
He said: "When I saw Hearts drawn with Dinamo Zagreb I was very jealous because they are my former club and it would have been perfect if United were in Europe playing them.
"But that didn't happen so it will be Hearts who have the game. I think it will be a very good match.
"Zagreb are probably a better team than Hearts but there won't be much in it.
"A lot will depend on how Hearts do in the game this week.
"If they can get a draw away from home then I think Hearts have a good chance because they are so strong at Tynecastle.
"But it won't be easy because Dinamo are a top side.
"The players Hearts must watch out for are Mario Mandzukic, who is a striker and is a very good player.
"He is a Croatian international, is very tall and has loads of pace.
He won the game for Dinamo against Ajax a few seasons ago, so that shows how much quality they have in their team.
"Zagreb have a lot of quality players and another one is Milan Badelj, who is only young but is already being linked with big moves to England.
"One thing is for sure, it will be a good game because both teams like to play football. It won't be kick and rush from either of them so it will be a great game to watch."
