AAP Soccer

Devlin shines as Hearts keep top spot in Scotland

By AAP Newswire

Jan 12, 2026

Scotland's goalkeeper Craig Gordon, left. — Craig Gordon, seen in action for Scotland, made a priceless save to give Hearts victory. -AP

Cameron Devlin's Hearts have again demonstrated their Scottish Premiership title credentials by overcoming a red card for goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow to grind out a 1-0 victory away to Dundee.

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Australian midfielder Devlin, 27, played his part as the Edinburgh side netted what proved to be the winner through Claudio Braga's 27th-minute strike at Dens Park ..although it came in contentious circumstances.

After being fouled inside his own half, former Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix battler 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 four-cap Socceroo Devlin had taken the free-kick from the wrong place and while the ball was still rolling, but the goal stood.

The wind was removed from the visitors' sails when Schwolow was sent off in first-half stoppage-time for fouling Tony Yogane.

But Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon came off the bench on for his first Jambos appearance of the season and helped secure a potentially huge victory in their quest for glory by pulling off a stunning stoppage-time save from Emile Acquah.

The result keeps Hearts clear at the top of the Scottish top-flight, three points above second-placed Rangers, who won 2-0 at Aberdeen on Sunday.