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Hearts demonstrated their title credentials by overcoming a red card for their goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow to grind out a 1-0 victory at Dundee, leaving the leaders’ manager, Derek McInnes, praising Craig Gordon for doing so well after “coming on cold”.
In front of a 4,000-strong travelling support, the league leaders went ahead through Cláudio Braga’s 27th-minute strike. The wind was removed from their sails when Schwolow was sent off in first-half stoppage time for fouling Tony Yogane. But the Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon came on for his first Hearts appearance of the season and helped secure a potentially huge victory in their quest for glory by pulling off a stunning 93rd-minute save from Emile Acquah.
Hearts made the breakthrough in contentious circumstances. After being fouled by Fin Robertson inside his own half, Cammy Devlin picked himself up and played a quick free-kick forward to Lawrence Shankland, who then fed Braga. The Portuguese forward set himself before driving a low strike in off Jon McCracken’s right-hand post from the edge of the box. Dundee felt Devlin had taken the free-kick from the wrong place and while the ball was still rolling, but the goal stood.
A flashpoint in first-half stoppage time changed the complexion of the game. Yogane ghosted in behind the Hearts defence, prompting Schwolow to race out of his box and foul the Dundee winger. The flag immediately went up for offside but after a lengthy video assistant referee check, Yogane was deemed to be onside and Schwolow was shown a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, although Hearts felt the defender Craig Halkett was covering.
Gordon was summoned from the bench, with Braga sacrificed, and the 43-year-old’s first act was to get down to his left to make a brilliant save from Cam Congreve’s free-kick. Hearts – with five centre-backs on for the closing 20 minutes – generally managed the second half well, although they required Gordon to come up with a brilliant save down to his left to keep out Acquah’s header in the third and final minute of stoppage time.
“I thought it was past him, I really did,” said McInnes of Acquah’s header. “I think it beats the majority of keepers. “It would have been harsh on us considering how well we defended, but obviously we’re fortunate to have Craig with his experience, know-how and ability at 43 years of age.
“Some keepers coming on cold like that, having not played a lot, you’d be a bit concerned. But like he was for Scotland, the experience is huge. The reflexes are first-class and that save was instinctive.”
Rangers carved out their second win over managerless Aberdeen in less than a week with a 2-0 victory in atrocious conditions at Pittodrie. The Gers, who overcame opponents under the interim stewardship of Peter Leven by the same scoreline at Ibrox on Tuesday night, took the lead in the Granite City when Thelo Aasgaard volleyed in midway through the first half played in swirling wind and rain. Emmanuel Fernández headed into the Dons net in the 28th minute only for the goal to be controversially chalked off for an infringement on the goalkeeper, Dimitar Mitov, but the second goal did arrive in the 74th minute from a James Tavernier penalty.
Danny Röhl extended his Premiership record to 11 wins, two draws and a defeat since taking over as Rangers manager from Russell Martin in October, as his team ended the day in second, three points behind Hearts having played a game more.
On Saturday, Martin O’Neill warned Celtic could be in trouble if they do not strengthen their squad despite resuming his supervision of the team with a 4-0 victory over Dundee United. A dominant display seemingly banished concerns there might be lasting damage from Wilfried Nancy’s brief but torrid tenure, when Celtic lost six out of eight games.
O’Neill returned to oversee a first clean sheet since his final game in caretaker charge and equal the two biggest wins of the Premiership season, which also came under his watch. Two first-half goals in five minutes, from Yang Hyun-jun and Arne Engels, sent Celtic on their way, with substitute Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda scoring after the break. “We played really well,” said the 73-year-old. “It was nice to see players performing well, playing with confidence, and it was just nice to win.”
O’Neill pointed out the importance of a goal-saving block from Liam Scales on Owen Stirton and also admitted his concern that Julián Araujo might have received a red card for a late tackle on Will Ferry. “If the confidence is kind of fragile, then that sort of thing can change again, then it gives the opposition a big boost,” he said. “But we rode that one out and we saw it through.”
Celtic are yet to make a January signing after failing to meet their objectives in the previous two transfer windows. “I am hopeful we are going to get some people in,” O’Neill said. “But just when you think that something might happen, things change around. We obviously need to do it, even just to give help to the boys. If we pick up injuries to really key players we could be in serious trouble.”
Shay Given apologises over 'holocaust' comment
ShowShay Given has "unreservedly" apologised for describing Wilfried Nancy's brief time as Celtic manager as an "absolute holocaust" on live television. The former Newcastle and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper - who began his career at Celtic - was asked for his thoughts on Nancy's 33-day reign on BBC's Final Score show on Saturday and replied with insensitive language.
"On live television this afternoon, I used a word that I didn't fully understand the meaning of, and I certainly wouldn't use again," Given said on his personal X account. "We all have areas of ignorance in our knowledge, and I hope to use this as an opportunity to become better educated going forward. I am genuinely mortified and apologise unreservedly to everyone offended, and will be donating my fee from today's show to the Holocaust Educational Trust."
Final Score presenter Jason Mohammad apologised later in the show for the "inappropriate language" used. PA Media
Kieron Bowie earned Hibernian a point in a 1-1 draw with Motherwell. After a first half that struggled to get going, the match burst to life after the break. Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise grabbed his 15th goal of the season when he finished off a devastating counterattack in the 52nd minute, but Bowie levelled in the 69th minute from six yards out.
Falkirk boosted their top-six hopes with a 2-0 win at St Mirren, who suffered a third straight defeat. Finn Yeats broke the deadlock after 55 minutes with a superb curling effort from 25 yards and Calvin Miller made the points safe six minutes later.
Neil McCann began his Kilmarnock reign with a 1-1 draw at relegation rivals Livingston, who are four points behind them at the bottom of the table. Connor McLennan put Livingston ahead on the stroke of half-time, but were denied a second win of the league campaign by Marcus Dackers 20 minutes from time.
