Neil McCann labelled Craig Gordon as the 'Scottish Buffon' as he heaped huge praise on the Hearts No1.
The Scotland international produced three big saves as Robbie Neilson's men got off and running in the Europa Conference League with a fine away win at group bottom seeds RFS. A Lawrence Shankland penalty and an added-time goal from Alan Forrest secured all three points for the visitors as they brought their poor run of form to an end and moved into second in the group.
The travelling Hearts support went wild as they celebrated an away day success in Latvia but they had veteran skipper Gordon to thank for his first half showing. He denied the hosts with a stunning reaction save just two minutes into the game as he turned an effort onto the woodwork before he superbly denied RFS on two occasions just before the break with the score at 1-0.
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His performance gained the praise of Michael Stewart and McCann in the BT studio with the latter handing him a huge billing by using him in the same breathe as one of the greats of the modern game.
Speaking after the game on BT, Stewart said: "This one is the best and it is so early on and that is the importance of this.
"If you are away from home on the back of what has been a relatively sticky patch. Look at that, the reactions are incredible. 40-years-old almost. Sticky run of form, coming away from home and if you go one-nil down inside two minutes you don't know what could happen.
"It's hugely important that they have a guy like that as a talisman in the team making saves like that to allow them to gradually grow into the game. The two before half-time are standard Craig Gordon."
McCann added: "It is probably standard for Craig Gordon isn't it.
"What a signing he has been. He is a huge part. The Scottish Buffon.
"Listen, as Michael said, he is an old fine wine. He's not going off. He's maturing all the time and as agile as ever. He's clearly looking after himself off the pitch.
"Whether he tapers his training I don't know. I know [Edwin] Van de Sar when he was getting to the latter stages of his career very rarely trained as it was all about getting ready for games.
"I don't know what he is doing behind the scenes but you don't care. If he is coming up with that type or performance, big moments in big matches. Craig Gordon has done it time and time again. Hearts can be very thankful they have him."
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