As the Scottish Premiership season barrels toward its most dramatic phase, Hearts’ gritty 1-0 victory over Dundee at Dens Park on January 11, 2026, has not only solidified their position atop the league but also stirred echoes of one of the most unforgettable title races in Scottish football history. The Gorgie faithful will be forgiven for feeling a mix of elation and déjà vu, as the current campaign increasingly mirrors the thrills, heartbreaks, and unpredictability of the 1985-86 season—a year that still haunts and inspires in equal measure.
Saturday’s clash at Dens Park was, on paper, a routine fixture for league leaders Hearts. But as anyone who’s followed Scottish football for more than a minute knows, nothing is ever routine at this storied ground—especially for those wearing maroon. The ghosts of 1986, when Dundee famously shattered Hearts’ title dreams in the dying moments of the season, still linger in the stands and in the minds of supporters old enough to remember that fateful May afternoon. Yet, this time, it was Hearts who emerged from the drama with their ambitions not only intact but emboldened.
The match itself was a classic test of nerve and resilience. Hearts, managed by Derek McInnes, arrived at Dens Park with a six-point cushion over both Celtic and Rangers, aware that every slip could open the door for their rivals. Dundee, meanwhile, were riding the wave of three straight wins and looking to make history with a fourth consecutive top-flight victory—their best run since 1999. The home side started brightly, pressing Hearts and forcing goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow into early action. Schwolow’s save from Billy Koumetio’s header set the tone for a first half where Dundee’s energy was matched by Hearts’ composure.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute, as Claudio Braga finished a swift move with a precise low drive that clipped the post before nestling into the net. The goal, Hearts’ first shot on target, was the product of two incisive forward passes, but controversy brewed as Dundee players protested that Cammy Devlin had taken the preceding free-kick from the wrong spot. The officials, unmoved, allowed the goal to stand, and Hearts seized the momentum.
But just as Hearts seemed to have the game where they wanted it, disaster struck on the cusp of halftime. Schwolow, in an attempt to snuff out a Dundee attack, collided with Tony Yogane on the edge of the box. Initially, the officials awarded Hearts a free-kick for offside, but a VAR review revealed Yogane had been onside. Referee Ryan Lee reversed the decision and showed Schwolow a straight red card, leaving Hearts to play the entire second half with ten men and a substitute goalkeeper.
Enter Craig Gordon. The 43-year-old veteran, making his first appearance since Scotland’s famous World Cup qualifying win over Denmark, was thrust into the spotlight. If there were any doubts about his sharpness, they were dispelled in a second half that saw Dundee dominate possession and pepper the Hearts goal with shots. Gordon denied Koumetio and Drey Wright with assured stops, but his defining moment—and perhaps the moment that will be talked about for years—came deep into stoppage time.
With the clock ticking into the 94th minute, Dundee’s Emile Acquah rose to meet a cross and directed a powerful header toward the bottom left corner. The home fans were already celebrating, certain the ball was destined for the net. But Gordon, channeling the reflexes and agility of his prime, flung himself to his left and somehow clawed the ball to safety. It was a save for the ages, one that instantly drew comparisons to Gordon Banks’ legendary stop against Brazil in 1970. Hearts’ away end erupted, chanting, “We shall not be moved.”
After the match, Gordon was typically understated about his heroics, telling reporters, "One of my best." Hearts manager Derek McInnes was quick to praise both his players and the supporters: "Any teams that have a successful campaign, they're the bedrock - digging out results like that 1-0. The question was asked of us, there's no doubt about it. The fans helped us win today. It felt significant and I really hope it is. That feels like the best three points of the season and we've had some big afternoons. A huge effort from everybody, but it's worth it. 1-0s are sometimes the best ones and successful teams normally have loads of them."
Dundee manager Steven Pressley, while disappointed, acknowledged the fine margins that separated the sides: "I even thought 11 v 11, we were the better side. We carved out the better opportunities and we were aggressive in our pressure. It was very much what I wanted to see. It was just the fine margins. There were a lot of really good things among the performance, and of course, a real world-class save at the end. We're trying [for reinforcements]. We're hopeful we can get something over the line."
The win keeps Hearts six points clear at the top, with both Celtic and Rangers breathing down their necks. For Rangers, the stakes are similarly high. Their upcoming match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie offers a chance to close the gap to just three points, provided they secure victory. The team sheet for that fixture will see Karlsson return for the hosts, while Aasgaard replaces Barron for the visitors—small details that could loom large in the title race.
The historical resonance of Hearts’ triumph at Dens Park is impossible to ignore. Forty years ago, Hearts arrived at the same venue needing only a point to clinch the league, only for Dundee—and the unlikely hero Albert Kidd—to dash their hopes in agonizing fashion. That day, Kidd’s late double handed the title to Celtic and left Hearts supporters in tears. The 1985-86 season remains etched in the collective memory of Scottish football, not just for its dramatic conclusion but for the way it reshaped the fortunes of clubs and the emotional landscape of the sport itself.
Since then, Hearts have rarely been better placed to break the Old Firm’s grip on the title. The current campaign, already hailed as one of the most unpredictable and exciting in years, has seen Hearts blend youthful exuberance with experienced heads, much as they did under Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine in the mid-80s. Back then, the club’s resurgence was powered by the vision of Wallace Mercer and a shrewd mix of homegrown talent and seasoned professionals. Today, Derek McInnes and his squad are writing their own chapter, determined to turn past pain into present glory.
Looking ahead, Hearts will host St Mirren in the Premiership on January 14, before welcoming Falkirk in the Scottish Cup on January 17. Dundee, meanwhile, will travel to Kilmarnock for their own cup tie on the same day. For Hearts fans, the hope is that this season’s journey ends with celebrations rather than scars—and that Dens Park, once a graveyard for dreams, is now the stage for redemption.
