DAVIE WEIR no doubt picked up a few nice presents as he celebrated his 38th birthday on Saturday morning.

Nothing, though, was as gratefully received by the Rangers defender as the gift referee Mike McCurry handed him later on.

With his team leading Dundee United by two goals in an SPL match at Ibrox, Weir clearly tripped opposition striker Noel Hunt inside his own box.

ALEXANDER Made an important stop just before the interval, but there was nothing he could do to stop Mark De Vries' excellent header. BROADFOOT Always willing to bomb forward, but stupidly gets himself in needless arguments. PAPAC Wasn't expected to feature much under Walter Smith, but never puts a foot wrong and the most solid full-back at the club. CUELLAR Cruised through yet another important game. Keeps things simple, is never flustered and continues to stand head and shoulders above the rest. WEIR Got out of jail when referee Mike McCurry got it horribly wrong by refusing to hand United a penalty for his foul on Noel Hunt. DAILLY Unlucky not to put his side three ahead when he hit the post. Distribution poor but defended well in the hole just ahead of the back four. THOMSON Limped off with a foot injury seven minutes into the second half, but was having a quiet afternoon. FERGUSON Looked more like his old self. Dictated play in the middle of the park and quick to support the strikers. WHITTAKER Full of energy and constantly getting up and down the right-hand side. NOVO Outstanding first-half display from the little Spaniard. Netted two goals and his work-rate was fantastic. COUSIN Should take a leaf out of Novo's book and start putting in a shift. Lucky not to be sent-off for off-the-ball clash with Lee Wilkie. SUBS Furman took over from injured Thomson and played well. Darcheville replaced Cousin in attack and netted the third goal. FANS Showed appreciation at the end of the game as players enjoyed a lap of honour. SMITH Will be delighted with the attitude of his players to remain on course for the title. A vital win for his team.

If a penalty had been awarded and Weir handed a red card, it would have given United a golden chance to get on the scoresheet and haul themselves right back into the match.

Given that they subsequently scored through Mark De Vries, a spot-kick could well, in fact, have resulted in them drawing or even winning the game.

That eventuality, in turn, would have handed Old Firm rivals Celtic the opportunity to go on and pluck the Scottish title from their grasp.

Yet McCurry, in a decision which is no doubt set to be pored over by Hoops supporters for some considerable time to come, stayed silent.

Weir could hardly believe his luck and his side went on to triumph by 3-1, collect three points and move, albeit briefly, to within a point of the league leaders.

Gordon Strachan's side pulled four ahead once more with their 2-0 defeat of Hibs in the televised Setanta showdown at Parkhead yesterday afternoon.

As we get down to the nitty gritty in an unforgettable season, McCurry's bad decision will have a huge bearing on the destination of the trophy.

The performance of the official and his assistants provoked an outburst from United manager Craig Levein the likes of which has not been heard in Scottish football for many moons.

"He bottled it," Levein wailed after a result which ultimately put paid to his team's hopes of finishing third in the league table and qualifying for the Uefa Cup.

One of many rulings which so incensed Levein, who is facing disciplinary action from the SFA, was the goal his side had chalked off for offside in the second half.

However, on this occasion, the much-maligned McCurry and his linesman Stuart Macaulay got it exactly right in my opinion.

Danny Swanson's speculative shot deflected off Weir's leg and spun beyond wrong-footed keeper Neil Alexander and into the bottom right corner of the Rangers net. But David Robertson was in an offside position on the shoulder of the Scotland centre-back when the ball was struck and was clearly impeding Alexander's view.

I felt Robertson was, therefore, actively involved in play and United could have no complaints whatsoever about that effort being disallowed.

Rangers fans will no doubt argue that Celtic have been the grateful beneficiaries of a few dodgy decisions by match officials in recent weeks.

Indeed, Iain Brines openly admitted on the Whistleblower website that he wrongly chalked off a late equaliser for Aberdeen at Parkhead last month.

And Steve Conroy blundered when he wrongly awarded Gordon Strachan's side a corner which led to a late winner against Motherwell at Fir Park nine days ago. Over the course of a season, these decisions generally level out. But just try telling Levein that.

McCurry, who today admitted to getting both decisions wrong on Whistleblower, definitely messed up when he only yellow-carded Rangers striker Daniel Cousin for forcing his head into the face of United defender Lee Wilkie.

Sound familiar? It was exactly the same gross stupidity which resulted in Cousin being ordered off in the Uefa Cup semi-final against Fiorentina.

When he feels in the mood, the giant Gabonese hitman can be a potent weapon for Walter Smith to deploy up front.

Goals in big matches against the likes of Lyon, Werder Bremen and Celtic show his value to the Govan club.

But the occasions when he is up for it are increasingly few and far between these days; in the sort of form he is in at the moment he will be no loss in Manchester.

The same could not be said of Nacho Novo if the little Spanish striker was ruled out of the Glasgow club's first European final in 36 years this week.

Nacho scored two goals in the first 20 minutes - the second of which is a strong contender for goal of the season - to get Rangers off to a brilliant start.

Barry Ferguson, too, was back to his best. The Rangers captain teed up substitute Jean-Claude Darcheville for a late goal to seal a priceless victory.

That ensured Smith's side will go into their showdown with Russian club Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday night with spirits high and confidence flowing.

NEED TO KNOW

RANGERS............3 DUNDEE UNITED............1

Was it a good game? Yes, with some superb goals and incidents aplenty, it was a cracking match.

Who was Rangers' best player? Gers cult hero Nacho Novo scored two terrific goals and was in blistering form.

What about United's top man? Tannadice striker Noel Hunt was a real nuisance for Rangers and was unlucky not to get awarded a penalty.

How did the referee do? Mike McCurry made a fair few dubious decisions which enraged United manager Craig Levein.

Who's up next? The small matter of the Uefa Cup Final with Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester on Wednesday.

Talking point

Was United manager Craig Levein right to question referee Mike McCurry's integrity?