The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Gordon’ s moment of brilliance denies Pars
Euan Murray is adamant Craig Gordon is the only goalkeeper in Scotland capable of making the astonishing save which denied Dunfermline the lead at Tynecastle – a pivotal turning point in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Hearts.
The Pars thought they had claimed the lead on the cusp of half-time when Fraser Murray’s deep cross found Ryan Dow at pointblank range, but somehow Gordon scampered across goal and clawed his header over the bar.
It was a moment of elastic brilliance which even earned a rueful fist bump from Dunfermline attacker Declan Mcmanus.
“He’s different class,” said East End Park skipper Murray, of Gordon.
“I think you’d struggle to find a goalie in the Premiership who saves that one from Ryan Dow. You just need to take your hat off and say it was unbelievable.
“He’s kept them in the game at certain stages and that’s the thing – Hearts have got a brilliant squad and he’s certainly part of that.”
The denial of Dow rather summed up the Fifers’ luck in front of goal in Gorgie, and in recent fixtures.
Mcmanus also saw a low shot cleared off the line by Michael Smith as Stevie Crawford’s men endured a third straight game without scoring.
Dunfermline hope to secure the signing of former Dundee attacker Craig Wighton from Hearts before the January transfer window closes this evening, but that will come too late to affect a frustrating afternoon in the capital.
Jamie Walker ultimately climbed from the bench – rather illustrating the gulf in attacking resources between the sides – to produce a delightful turn and clinical finish to seal the win with 10 minutes to play.
“It’s just a moment of magic and sometimes there’s not a lot you can do,” continued Murray.
“Of course you look at it from a defensive point of view, but you can also look at it and think, ‘fair play to the attacker’. It’s brilliant play.
“When he gets past me he still has a fair angle to try and hit the target but he’s produced a worldie finish across the goal. That’s been the difference on the day.
“But I thought we were excellent to a man.
“The shape of the team was different class – probably the best we’ve been for a while even though we’ve had clean sheets, and we had the better chances.
“We’re due the rub of the green at some point and if we keep putting in performances like that then we’ll start picking up wins again.”
Wednesday evening would be the ideal time to secure just a second Championship win in nine outings, with fierce Fife rivals Raith Rovers arriving on the Halbeath Road fresh from their own fine 3-1 triumph over Dundee.
While always a memorable occasion for all involved, that is especially true for Murray, who starred for the Kirkcaldy club between 2017 and 2019.
“You know the game you’re expecting from a derby,” said Murray.
“We know what Raith Rovers are all about – me probably more than anybody.
“It’s one we’ll look forward to and another chance to get back to winning ways.
“You want the big games coming thick and fast.
“I had a good period at Raith but I’m a Dunfermline player now and captain of the club.
“My sole focus is to produce the best performance I possibly can for my team.”
Dunfermline will seek to dust themselves off, while Hearts – although no one within Tynecastle would dare admit it – are in the process of fulfilling pre-season predictions of a procession to the title.
They are now 12 points clear of the Pars and Raith.
“I think we have played better than we did on Saturday, definitely,” acknowledged Hearts boss Robbie Neilson.
“It was more of a grind but sometimes you need to do that to win a league.”