'I thought it was in': Craig Gordon revels in stunning match-winning save

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon admitted he even surprised himself with his stoppage-time wonder save in Sunday’s 1-0 victory away to Dundee.

The 43-year-old – on for his first Jambos appearance of the season after Alexander Schwolow’s red card at the end of the first half – made a breathtaking stop in the last moment of the match, diving down to his left to claw out a header from Emile Acquah.

It has been billed as one of the greatest saves in Scottish football history and Scotland international Gordon – whose save for Sunderland to deny Bolton’s Zat Knight in 2010 was voted the best in the first 20 years of the Premier League in 2012 – said: “I think it’s as good a save as I’ve made – I surprised myself when it stayed out!

“I saw it early, managed to change direction, got a great push and just managed to get my fingertips to it to claw it back off the line.

“I don’t think there has been too many better in my career.

“I’m not surprised the Dundee striker went to celebrate because I thought it was in myself. But you never know unless you go for it, I just threw everything I had to try to keep it out.

“I knew it was the very end of the game and one more save would get us over the line.

“They were always going to get a moment, they were putting a lot of balls into the box so something was going to fall eventually. I’m just glad I was equal to it.”

Gordon’s save was charged with additional significance as it helped William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts dig out a potentially critical victory in their quest to land a first Scottish title since 1960.

They now have the chance to restore their six-point advantage at the top of the table when they play their game in hand over second-placed Rangers at home to struggling St Mirren on Wednesday.

Asked if it was one of the most important blocks of his career, Gordon said: “Possibly. Certainly in the context of that game it was, getting another three points and keeping our run going. It kept the gap at the top of the league.

“We just need to keep winning matches, keep going. There’s still an awful long way to go so you just have to keep winning.

“We have another game on Wednesday so it’s about recovering and going again, trying to win another one.”