United switched to a 4-4-2 formation at Tynecastle and that saw Wilson drop to the bench. Today, his boss explained the reasoning behind that was largely tactical, though he admitted the former U/21 international’s recent form was a factor.

“I went with Peter Canero at right-back because I felt he was better equipped to deal with the threat of Rudi Skacel on Saturday. It was a tactical thing and there is a very good chance you will see Mark Wilson back in the side for our next game,” said Gordon.

“Mark is a very good player and I expect a huge amount from him. But people have to remember he is still only 21 and at an age when he will have dips in form.

“That can happen to any player and, if it does, I will pick someone else if I think it is better for the team. My job is about trying to get results for Dundee United and I will always pick what I believe is the best team.

“In the past, that has meant leaving out people who are regarded as our big names and it is something I will continue to do because the team comes first.”

United were bitterly disappointed at losing 3-0 on Saturday, though the fact this was Hearts’ seventh home win in a row, and they have lost just one goal in that run, maybe adds perspective to the result.

Even so, the manner of the defeat did not please the manager. “If you go there and they create good goals you come away with no complaints. We lost very poor goals and, most of all, put massive pressure on ourselves by conceding after just three or four minutes,” added Gordon.

“When you go to a place like Tynecastle you are looking for everyone to be at the top of their game. We had eight or nine who were way off that and I don’t think I’d give anybody pass marks. When that happens you are not giving yourself a chance.”

Grant Brebner limped off midway through the first half with a calf problem that is causing concern, while Jim McIntyre was the mystery pre-match injury doubt. He made the bench, but was not fit enough to start.

His only appearance on the team lines since then was as an unused substitute in the heavy defeat at the hands of Airdrie United nine days ago.

But he has been back in full training for over a week now and should be fit enough to start this weekend.

Also in training before the end of the week should be Iain Anderson.

The free weekend courtesy of Hamilton’s involvement in the Bell’s Cup Final yesterday will also have seen the likes of Bobby Mann shake off the minor knocks he’s been carrying for a couple of weeks or so.

Fans are reminded that to avoid a clash with Scotland’s Hampden friendly against the US, the kick-off for the visit of Saints has been brought forward to 1 pm.

Definitely missing that game will be Dundee’s Kelvin Jack and Saints’ Jason Scotland, who are on World Cup duty with Trinidad and Tobago against Bahrain.

And player-boss Owen Coyle is suffering from a broken toe.

Saints will be forced into two changes anyway for Saturday’s away game against Dundee.

Simon Mensing starts a two-game ban and Jason Scotland is on World Cup duty with Trinidad & Tobago.

Meanwhile, central defender Kevin Rutkiewicz has praised the influence of his manager and the rest of the Saints defence.

Speaking in the wake of his team’s 1-0 home win over Airdrie United, Kevin commented, “It looked as if I was out the door in the summer.

“Owen brought in his own centre-halves in Kevin James and Mark Campbell.

“At the beginning of last season, the then Saints manager John Connolly brought me in and he wanted to play me from the start, so I could understand the way Owen was thinking.

“But I managed to force my way into the first team and Owen has showed faith in me by continuing to play me.

“I felt at the start of the season as though my future lay elsewhere, but St Johnstone is not a club I want to leave at the moment.

“The club is on the up and people must remember the team Owen has assembled has not been together for long.

“Owen has encouraged me to express myself and I’m definitely enjoying life at McDiarmid Park. And the lads round about me are giving me confidence, too. Kevin James is a good influence and Simon Mensing is also a good guy to have with you at the back.”