Criticism of McCurry led to a fine for Dundee United manager Craig Levein

Mike McCurry's career as a top-class referee is over.

The 44-year-old from Glasgow has been omitted by the Scottish Football Association from the list of senior officials for next season.

McCurry, a Baptist associate pastor, has been an often controversial figure in Scottish football.

Craig Levein's comments about McCurry's performance in a match against Rangers in May led to a £5,000 fine for the Dundee United manager.

Levein accused McCurry, who later admitted to mistakes during the game, of "bottling" big decisions during Rangers' 3-1 victory.

The referee, whose private life also became the focus of newspaper news pages, has gone public in support of the introduction of video technology to assist decision making.

Meanwhile, Dougie McDonald will referee Sunday's crucial Scottish Premier League fixture between Dundee United and Rangers.

A win for the Ibrox club at Tannadice would mean they will be champions for the first time in four years.

Craig Thomson will be the man in the middle of Celtic's home game against Hearts.

Gordon Strachan's side require a win and for Rangers to drop points to retain the title.

Eddie Smith will be in charge of the relegation battle between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Falkirk.

If the Bairns lose on Saturday, they will go down, but victory would mean that Terry Butcher's team will play in the First Division next season unless St Mirren lose heavily at home to Hamilton Accies.

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