Dundee United boss Craig Levein launched an astonishing attack on Stuart Dougal after the referee refused to allow his injury-prone defender Lee Wilkie treatment during the 2-1 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead.

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Wilkie, who lost three years from his career with knee problems, stayed down after a tackle by Hoops' striker Scott McDonald but when the ball went out for a goal kick, Dougal waved play on. After United keeper Lukasz Zaluska then kicked the ball out, Wilkie was allowed treatment as Dougal and Levein had a pitchside confrontation.

Celtic returned to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after goals from Glenn Loovens and Georgios Samaras were enough to hold off a spirited United comeback who reduced the deficit through David Robertson.

But the game was almost incidental as Levein left Dougal in no doubt what he thought of him.

"He lost his composure, stuck his finger in my face and told me to shut up," the United boss said. "It wasn't acceptable. In all my time in football, no other referee has ever done that.

"I have lost all respect for him after the way he spoke to me. 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."