Levein livid at ref Dougal

Published on Wednesday 13 May 2009 09:57

CRAIG LEVEIN watched his Dundee United side fall a further point behind Hearts last night as his side went down 2-1 at Parkhead – but it was the referee's treatment of Lee Wilkie which incensed him the most.

The United boss had scathing criticism for Stuart Dougal after the referee refused to allow injury-prone defender Wilkie treatment following a clash with Scott McDonald which left him with stud marks on his leg.

Dougal waved play on and Wilkie was only belatedly allowed treatment before Dougal and Levein had a pitchside confrontation.

"He lost his composure, stuck his finger in my face and told me to shut up," the United boss told reporters. "In all my time in football, no other referee has ever done that. If it happened in the pub on a Saturday night to any of you guys, the guy would have got a punch in the face."

Glenn Loovens headed Celtic into a first-half lead before Georgios Samaras' shot deflected off Wilkie just after the interval. David Robertson's strike ensured a tense end to the game but the home side hung on to go one point above Rangers who play Hibs tonight.