When championship titles are eventually lifted, certain moments on the journey are remembered as pivotal. If Heart of Midlothian are to triumph this season, Craig Gordon may have just provided one of those defining flashes of brilliance.
A Veteran's Heroics Seal the Points
On an afternoon where the Edinburgh side had to dig deep and win ugly, their 43-year-old goalkeeper produced a stoppage-time save of sheer beauty to deny Dundee's Emile Acquah. The remarkable intervention, which drew inevitable comparisons to Gordon Banks' legendary stop against Pele, ensured Hearts left Dens Park with all three points instead of just one.
It was another extraordinary chapter in the career of a player who has consistently defied expectations. The drama unfolded after Claudio Braga's 27th-minute strike had given the league leaders a precious advantage. The situation shifted dramatically on the stroke of half-time when Hearts' first-choice keeper, Alexander Schwolow, was sent off following a VAR review for bringing down Tony Yogane on the edge of the box.
Gordon Answers the Call
Enter Craig Gordon, making his first league appearance of the campaign from the substitutes' bench. His initial act was to dive to his left and make an excellent save from Cam Congreve's resulting free-kick. That, however, was merely a prelude to his last-gasp heroics.
In the third and final minute of added time, Acquah connected powerfully with a header that seemed destined for the net. Gordon launched himself to his left once more, clawing the ball away to safety. The roar from the travelling support was the loudest of the day, celebrating a victory that showcased the resilience of Derek McInnes's side.
Dundee Rue Missed Opportunities
For Dundee, managed by Steven Pressley, it was a golden opportunity missed to deal a significant blow to the title favourites. The home side had started brightly and should have taken the lead within 90 seconds, but Billy Koumetio's header was directed straight at Schwolow.
Even with a numerical advantage for the entire second half, Dundee struggled to break down a resolute Hearts defence. Stuart Findlay and Craig Halkett dealt competently with everything thrown into their area, underlining why they are being considered for Steve Clarke's Scotland World Cup squad.
The match's only goal arrived in controversial fashion. Cammy Devlin took a quick free-kick, stealing significant yardage, to find Lawrence Shankland. His first-time pass released Braga, who took a sublime touch on the edge of the area before firing a low shot past Jon McCracken for his ninth league goal of the season.
While Hearts continue to demonstrate they can win in various circumstances, questions remain about whether they can maintain their challenge against the financial might of Celtic and Rangers. For now, however, this efficient and determined squad sits proudly at the Premiership summit, with Gordon's timeless quality proving the difference on a tense afternoon in Dundee.
