It came as no shock his words prompted a furious and total denial from the Tannadice Street neighbours and, in an unusual step last night, the pair issued a joint statement.

They pointed out there was no history of sectarian rivalry between them and were almost at a loss to understand Murray’s comments.

Realising he’d got it wrong, today the multi-millionaire business man moved swiftly to set the record straight.

“Early this morning, I received a phone call from Sir David and his first words were to apologise for any distress caused,” said United director Derek Robertson.

“He has assured me his views were taken out of context and, during the interview, he did not mean to imply any such rivalry between ourselves and Dundee.

“I am happy to accept his apology and, as far as we are concerned, that is the matter over.”

When the Evening Telegraph contacted Dundee, they had still to receive their apology, but, on hearing of Murray’s words, chairman Bob Brannan was magnanimous.

“I haven’t had a call and, as far as I’m aware, one hasn’t been put in to the club. But, if the man has apologised, that’s a line drawn under it.

“People make mistakes and say things that are not right, but, if they are quick to apologise and set the record straight, we move on.”

Most recently, he has been scouting for Celtic on a part-time basis, but has jumped at the chance to return to football full-time with the club he supported as a boy and finished his playing career with.

He was also youth coach at Dens during Jocky’s previous spell as manager in the late 1990s and went on to assist Jim Duffy with the first team, but fell victim of cuts when the Dark Blues were relegated in 2005.

While Jocky plans to be around for several years, at least, as well as for immediate input, Farningham’s appointment fits in with plans to aim for continuity in the manager’s chair and he will be seen as a potential future boss.

“He was obviously here last time I was manager, so I know him very well. He is a very good coach, who can work with players at all levels of the club and I know I can trust him,” said Jocky.

“He is also a local boy, who was a Dundee supporter, and, while that in itself isn’t the most important thing, it’s good that he knows the club so well and the way things work here.”

Looking at his first game back, the 1-1 draw with Airdrie, today Jocky praised players and fans for pulling together.

“On Saturday, I thought the supporters were fantastic. In the first 20 minutes we could easily have been three down, but they stayed right behind the team and I think you saw the players responding to that,” he said.

“In the end, we were not able to give them the result we wanted, but a draw was a start.

“When I arrived on Thursday, I said we had to stop losing games and losing goals and, in that sense, it was half the job done.

“So long as I get the effort I did from the players on Saturday, though, I believe we will improve and start getting clean sheets and victories.”

The Dundee FC Development Club are holding a meeting tomorrow (7 pm for a 7.30 start) in the Stobswell Sports and Social Club, Raglan Street, Dundee. Members and guests are urged to attend.

“I will have a close look on the video, but, from where I was standing, it was an honest attempt to win the ball and it looked like that is what Roy did,” said Craig today.

“His red card is just another example of the way the game is going and tackling is becoming sanitised. For me, if there is not any intent and there is no contact with the opponent, then tackling should be aggressive because that is what football is about.

“I certainly feel for Roy, because he has just won his place back in the team and, when he was out, it was me who was on at him to work harder on the defensive side of his game.

“I wanted to see him closing people down and tackling, and that is what he was doing, so, in a way, I am responsible for this. He’s been following instructions and what’s happened to him isn’t fair.”

As things stand, O’Donovan will join injured fellow-front man Jon Daly on the unavailable list for tomorrow night’s trip to Rangers.

Unless that changes, the manager faces a straight choice between Francisco Sandaza and David Goodwillie to partner Warren Feeney in attack.