‘World class’ saves help clinch points for Hearts

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson hailed “worldclass” saves from goalkeeper Craig Gordon for helping his side seal victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.

The visitors scored just before the break through Liam Boyce, following up after his penalty was saved, and at the death through Armand Gnanduillet to complete a 2-0 win.

Between the goals, though, Gordon pulled off a series of stunning stops, the pick of them from a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick.

Neilson said: “I would agree with the saves being called world class. He had nothing to do for 70 minutes and then Charlie Mulgrew hits a free-kick into the top bin and I always thought he would save it because he can read it.

“His experience now and his quality and his reactions are top level.”

United boss Tam Courts agreed that Gordon’s heroics were the difference between the teams.

He said: “You face that type of quality against the top teams, but I felt we were worthy of something from the game.”

Tony Watt scored for the third consecutive league game to earn 10man Motherwell a 1-0 victory over Dundee.

Watt netted his fourth goal of the season with a glancing header against the run of play 34 minutes in at Fir Park.

Paul McMullan had earlier hit the bar for Dundee, but the visitors, who have been linked with a loan bid for Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths, lacked a cutting edge to go with their domination of possession. Only two of their 13 efforts at goal were on target.

Kevin Nisbet and Martin Boyle netted second-half goals as Hibernian saw off bottom-of-the-table Livingston to remain top.

Scotland striker Nisbet returned to the side after missing last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Dundee and he notched his first league goal of the season before in-form Australia winger Boyle sealed victory late on.

Double cup winners St Johnstone remain winless in the league after yesterday’s goal-less draw away to St Mirren, who had Ethan Erhahon sent off in the final minute for a second yellow card.