Nicky Devlin is not taking the 19-point gap between Aberdeen and Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership for granted.

The 3-2 win for the Dons at the weekend extended their lead over the team that finished third last season.

There has been a 39-point swing from the end of last season to this point of the campaign, owing to Aberdeen winning every game and Hearts sitting bottom of the league and yet to win any of their eight fixtures.

Devlin, who joined up with the Scotland national team this week, was asked about the gap and whether it will likely be insurmountable for Hearts.

“No, it is a good position to be in but we know ourselves we still have to play Hearts three times," he said. “They will be looking at it as if that will be nine points written off.

“We have had a good start but we have to keep it going.”

Hearts were the better side during the game at Pittodrie but having taken a 2-1 lead from being 1-0 down, ended up losing 3-2 with Jorge Grant sent off in the second half when the score was level at 2-2.

Aberdeen's subs were able to make a difference with Duk and Ante Palaversa combining for the winner.

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“I don’t think we were great if I am being honest," Devlin, who scored the equaliser moments after Blair Spittal had put Hearts ahead, said. “We have done that a couple of times this season, where we haven’t been great but the resolve and attitude of the players have managed to find a way. We did that again on Sunday.

“It was important that the second goal came after they had just gone in front. That swung the momentum back for us and the boys who came on were brilliant. They gave us an extra wee lift and an injection of pace when we needed it."