Gordon lives Hearts dream

Mark de Vries (left) scored the winning goal in Bordeaux

Lifelong Hearts fan Craig Gordon described it as a dream come true to help the Edinburgh side record one of their most famous victories in European competition.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper pulled off a string of saves as Hearts defeated Bordeaux 1-0 in their Uefa Cup second round, first leg tie in France.

Gordon has now played just five first-team games but was glowing with delight after justifying his selection ahead of Finland international Tepi Moilanen.

"I grew up as a Hearts supporter and to play on a European night and get a victory away from home against a club as big as Bordeaux is great for the club and fantastic for me personally," said Gordon.

Gordon was not letting one superb peformance go to his head.

They are a better side than us, so that is going to make the second leg difficult Hearts head coach Craig Levein

"We had worked all week on how to prevent them playing and I was just glad to do my bit," he said.

"I am just trying to hold down my position as Tepi is a good goalkeeper and will push me all the way."

Head coach Craig Levein pointed out that Moilanen still has much to learn.

"I wanted to give him experience of playing in Europe and, no matter what happened, I would have had belief that he is a good goalkeeper."

Hearts surprise Bordeaux

Levein had changed to a 3-6-1 formation to stifle the creativity of Bordeaux and he was rewarded with a winner from Mark de Vries 12 minutes from time.

"I expected to be returning to Tynecastle 1-0 or 2-1 down and I would have been thrilled with that, so that has messed up my game plan for the second leg," quipped the Hearts boss.

"I don't know if we can get any more men behind the ball.

Craig Levein was delighted his game plan worked in France

"I just want to savour the moment, but all credit must go to the way that the players carried out what we wanted them to do.

"They will be really tired tonight. Not so much from the running, but from the concentration levels and the communication that was required.

"Our goalkeeper saved us when we need him and we took the chance when it came to us.

"But they are a better side than us, so that is going to make the second leg difficult."

Midfielder Paul Hartley was delighted to come off the bench to supply the cross for the winning goal but also recognised that Hearts still had a hard task ahead of them to progress to the next round.

"A draw would have been a great result, but to get the goal was delightful," he added.