It has been the bloodless revolution. In the space of 12 months Craig Levein has almost completely dismantled and rebuilt Dundee United. A 2-1 victory over Rangers marked his first game in charge last November. The same scoreline against the same opposition on Sunday was far more significant.

"We won by the same margin a year ago but that does not begin to tell the story of how far we have come," said the Dundee United manager.

Twelve months ago, the Tannadice club were floating around the nether regions of the Premierleague. A year on and their victory took them into second. Only two survivors, Christian Kalvenes and Barry Robson, remain from that maiden victory. The team that Craig built' could yet become Scottish football's third force, a distinction which Levein managed with Hearts a few years ago.

Typically, the success has been built on a watertight defence. Daniel Cousin's 51st-minute penalty on Sunday was the first goal they have lost at home in the league this season. During Levein's time at Hearts, the central defensive axis of Steven Pressley and Andy Webster was the foundation of their success, while the emergence of Craig Gordon towards the end of his tenure was another key factor.

At United, he has also meticulously built from the back. Grzegorz Szamotulski, the Polish goalkeeper who arrived in the summer, has been a revelation while Lee Wilkie and Darren Dods have flourished in the heart of defence.

"Their partnership Dods and Wilkie has been key to United's success," maintained Eamonn Bannon, the former Dundee United winger and football analyst. "Wilkie's career mirrored Craig's in the sense that he picked up a cruciate injury and then did it again, which is a tragic thing to happen. But Wilkie has bounced back and is relishing being back playing.

"I played alongside Dods at centre-half for Hibs reserves when he was just a young lad coming through. His best asset is his temperament. He never lets anything upset him and just does his job. The two of them and the goalkeeper are the crux of the team.

"The left-back, Christian Kalvenes, is steady, too. I like the goalkeeper. So many clubs who end up in the bottom half of the league tend to have a poor goalie, but he has made a difference this season.

"Craig's aim is to make his team difficult to beat. I saw United the week before against Hearts and after 10-15 minutes it looked as if they were going to get hammered. But they weathered the storm and scored against the run of play. In the end, they won the game comfortably. I wouldn't say they are the finished article but they are a hard team to break down."

Defensive solidity has not came at the expense of midfield flair. Morgaro Gomis, Prince Buaben and Willo Flood have added pace and power, while Barry Robson's form has further established himself as a creative force this season. The Scotland cap has also weighed in with five goals so far this term.

The acquisition of four-goal Jordan Robertson on loan from Sheffield United has been another key piece of business. Bannon has been impressed by United from midfield to front. "Robson is a star, he is the jewel in the crown," said Bannon. "I saw Dundee United against Hearts when United won 3-1 10 days ago and Willo Flood was my pick of the midfield. Hearts could have done with a Willo Flood-type in the middle of the park.

Jordan Robertson also scored a couple of cracking goals."

United's renaissance has made European football a possibility, but Levein played down his side's lofty position after Sunday's game. This year's Premier League has produced too many erratic results to predict the emergence of a non-Old Firm team as realistic contenders.

"I think Craig has been quoted as saying: We got beat against Gretna a few weeks ago, everyone cool their jets.' The league is crazy this season. I thought Hibs would beat St Mirren 3-0 this weekend but they lost two or three players through injury and were forced to play a few youngsters.

"Dundee United will achieve third or fourth at best. Celtic or Rangers will win the league. Strength in depth is vital."