Substitute Gordon, 43, saves the season to keep Hearts on track

Pundits and punters alike have cut a similar figure for Braga off the bench. Disbelief abounds. How did Gordon do it? Even the man himself wasn’t sure.

“Sometimes you surprise yourself as a goalkeeper,” Gordon told BBC Scotland. “This was definitely a goal I thought was a goal, but I decided to go for it anyway and somehow managed to snatch it away.

“This really feels like it’s one of my best.”

Not half. There was talk of Gordon Banks against Brazil, David Seaman against Sheffield United and… well, Craig Gordon against Bolton Wanderers.

His former teammate Steven Pressley was in the opposite dugout and couldn’t help but be excited for the Hearts goalkeeper.

“I spoke to Craig at length before the game,” the Dundee boss said. “He was deprived of opportunities and you wonder if that will affect his performance… Wow, it seems to have improved him.

“He made some big saves today. That’s why they’re top of the league, they have a world-class second goalkeeper.”

Former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson was on cash duty, and could hardly believe his eyes: “This is the save of the season. Every player is running at Craig Gordon. This is one of the best saves I’ve ever seen.”

“The dressing room will be electric. Against any other goalkeeper in the league, that’s a goal and a draw for Dundee.”

In the midst of the post-save flurry, it became clear that this was more than just a brilliant piece of goalkeeping or a moment of individual brilliance.

It showed why Hearts’ astonishing ownership fee continues to hold water.

“Craig was always able to make those big saves,” head coach Derek McInnis said. “When he was called, he stood up.” “I thought he was over it. Great moment for him.

“For Craig, who is 43 years old, throwing himself on the training pitch… there’s obviously a lot of motivation this season in terms of the World Cup, and trying to be part of something special here.

“He’s top class, and good for him. I’m happy for him. It’s a little reminder to everyone that he still has a role to play, and when we needed him, he was there.”

“Any team that has a successful campaign, they are the cornerstone, and they get results like that. It was important.”