THAT DEEP DIVE ON THAT SAVE

Can you believe wonder stop? Well, it turns out even Gordon was shocked at pulling it off

- NEIL ROBERTSON

CRAIG GORDON wasn't surprised Emile Acquah had hotfooted it to celebrate hampering Hearts' title push - since even he thought his wonder save was beyond him.

The campaign has barely made it past halfway and yet save of the season is surely already settled after the 43-yearold's sensation on Sunday.

Derek McInnes' table-toppers were leading 1-0 deep into stoppage time thanks to Claudio Braga's first-half goal when Dundee launched one last attack.

Gordon, who had come off the bench just before half-time after fellow keeper Alexander Schwolow was sent off, was featuring in his first competitive game since that November night Scotland delivered against Denmark to book a World Cup berth.

Not that the passing of time mattered as Gordon - who had already made a couple of solid saves to deny Dee - reacted in an instant to deny Acquah and rubberstamp a fifth win in six.

The sub had sent a powerful downward header towards goal and as it skipped off the turf, the striker was already starting to celebrate.

Gordon dived full stretch to his left to claw the ball away and preserve the Jambos' three-point cushion at the summit, having played one fewer match than second-placed Rangers.

Chants of "Scotland's No.1" rang out from the away end and the veteran said: "It's as good a save as I've made...

I surprised myself when it stayed out! "Could it be one of the biggest saves in my career? Possibly.

"Certainly in the context of that game it was getting another three points and keeping our run going.