GORDON REFUSES TO PRESS PANIC BUTTON

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon insists the Jambos can still overhaul city rivals Hibernian and maintain their reputation as the best side outside the Old Firm.

There was little evidence of that at Motherwell on Saturday as the home side cruised to a 2-0 win and could also afford the luxury of a fluffed penalty.

At the same time, back in Edinburgh, Hibs went six points clear of their rivals with a 4-0 thumping of Dundee to take a firm grip on the third place Hearts had made their own in the past two seasons.

But Gordon insisted that picture could soon change, especially as two Edinburgh derbies have yet to take place.

He said: "There is definitely no panic button being hit. There are only six points between us and Hibs.

"We have still got to play them twice so there's six points available there, never mind what happens elsewhere.

"There is a long way to go and there is no need to get too worried yet. We are still right in the hunt."

Head coach John Robertson described his side's showing as an embarrassment, although he was keen to take the blame himself instead of slating the players.

Gordon, who was able to save Jim Hamilton's 13th-minute penalty, admitted: "It was a bad performance, there is no getting away from that.

"We have had a few difficult games recently and there have been a few new boys coming in to the team but there are no excuses for a performance like that.

"The boys are disappointed but we are going to get back on the training ground and we will sort a few things out."

Both of Well's goals came in the first half with Gordon being beaten by Scott McDonald and then teenager Marc Fitzpatrick.

The opener took McDonald's tally for the season to 10 and the Australian was delighted.

He said: "It was good to get a good goal and a win. I am starting to get back to my best."

McDonald was able to capitalise on a great run from Stevie Hammell, whose shot was blocked but not gathered by Gordon.

He said: "He is probably my best mate at the club and we get along great. We have a good connection off and on the field.

"We work together a lot and he knows where I like it. To get in the box and get his strike away I thought was fantastic and I was able to get on it on the rebound."

Hammell was capped for Scotland in a friendly with Sweden earlier in the season and had been linked with a move to Celtic.

But McDonald believed his team-mate was happy with life at Fir Park just now.

He said: "There has been a lot of talk about him going elsewhere but as far as he is concerned he is happy playing his football and just wants to keep doing well.

"You never know what will happen in the future but I think he has a bright future."

It was also Well's first Bank of Scotland Premier League win since December 11.

McDonald said: "It has been a long time coming. We have put in some good performances in recent weeks and it had been disappointing not to get the full three points.

"We stuck at it and thoroughly deserved it. Especially in the first half we dominated the play."

Taken from sportinglife.com