The Scottish Mail on Sunday

CRAIG WAS WORLD CLASS, SAYS COURTS

- By Jim Black

DUNDEE UNITED manager Tam Courts labelled Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon ‘world class’ after the 38-year-old had denied his side four times in the final 20 minutes of yesterday’s encounter at Tannadice.

‘Unfortunat­ely for us, Hearts have a world-class goalkeeper,’ said Courts. ‘Craig made two world-class saves and then we were caught with a sucker punch for them to make it 2-0.

‘But his free-kick stop from Charlie Mulgrew, I was behind it and thought the ball was going in the top corner.’

Hearts counterpar­t Robbie Neilson shared Courts’ assessment of Gordon, adding: ‘I’d agree with the saves being called world-class. Craig had nothing to do for 70 minutes and then Mulgrew hits a free-kick into the top corner. But I always thought he would save it because he can read it.

‘His experience, his quality and his reactions are top level. Hopefully, he will get more caps for Scotland.

‘Since he came in the door, I’ve said that he should be Scotland No 1. He’s still got a number of years left in him.

‘Craig has looked after himself and he’s not got that many miles on the clock because of his injury issues in his career.’

Neilson added: ‘I thought we played really well in the first half. We had a couple of good opportunit­ies and, if we had gone in at half-time more than one goal up it would have been more comfortabl­e in the second half.

‘I am delighted with the three points. It’s been a really good start and the focus now is on the Hibs match next.’

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