Following United’s 3-1 defeat, he incurred the wrath of boss Craig Levein, chairman Eddie Thompson and every United supporter for a catalogue of errors as he failed to award a penalty, a perfectly good goal and send off as many as three Rangers men.

It was, though, only the latest controversy involving one of the Scottish game’s most experienced officials.

Back in January, he overturned an assistant referee’s offside flag and awarded a goal for a Barry Ferguson header as Rangers ran out 2-0 winners.

Regarding Saturday’s events, the Tannadice gaffer revealed that, even early on, his team were concerned by McCurry’s handling of the game.

“When Nacho Novo got his second goal, Mike McCurry said to him “good goal” and that just says it all,” blasted Craig. “I did not see him do the same when Mark de Vries got our goal with a great header. Why’s that?”

By today he’d had 48 hours to calm down, but Craig let rip with another salvo at a ref. whose bungling saw United drop out of the race for a UEFA Cup place.

“I have lost all respect for Mike McCurry. I thought he was one of the referees who could make the difficult decision, but he has shown I was wrong.

“He should have given us a penalty, he should have sent off Davie Weir, he should have awarded us a goal, he saw Daniel Cousin head butt Lee Wilkie and he missed an elbow (by Kirk Broadfoot) on Noel Hunt.

“By those actions he has shown a lack of respect for me, the Dundee United directors, our players and every Dundee United fan.”

Craig is well aware such comments could land him a fine from the SFA, but he believes enough is enough and the time has come for the rest of Scottish football to get fair treatment in games against the Old Firm. “It’s been going on for years. We all know that when we play the Old Firm in a big match for them we are not going to get any decisions.

“Ask Jimmy Calderwood. Aberdeen were robbed in a game at Celtic a few weeks ago and we’ve all suffered like this. It used to be accepted, but now there is too much money involved and too much pressure on managers to get things right in a short space of time for it to be allowed to continue.

“If saying that gets me a fine so be it, but it does not change the fact what I am saying is 100% right. The SFA will probably close ranks and do nothing, but what they should be doing is addressing this and bringing us into the 21st century.”

United are determined not to let the matter lie and an official complaint has been made to the SFA, the body responsible for refereeing. Chairman Eddie Thompson may even call Gordon Smith personally and the SFA chief executive was also on the end of a volley from the manager.

“Gordon Smith has launched a campaign to cut out diving, but if there is any league in the world where that is not a problem it has to be ours. Instead of needless moves like that, he should be putting his own house in order and sorting out referees because this has gone on long enough. Something has to be done.”