HEARTS keeper Neil Alexander reckons 6ft 4in hitman Osman Sow is exactly what his side need to beef up their attack.
The Swede hit the third goal in Saturday’s 3-0 win at East Fife but his all-round display earned him a standing ovation from the travelling supporters when the trialist was replaced in the second half.
The powerful forward linked well with Gary Oliver and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Alexander, who is also the goalkeeping coach at Hearts, was at Crystal Palace with Sow last season and would be delighted if the 24-year-old follows him to Gorgie.
Alexander said: “Big Oz was injured for the first part of last season but I played with him in reserve games.
“He is a good, big lad and he wants to work hard and improve. He’s lacking a bit of match sharpness but did really well considering that was his first game.
“He has loads of ability and we’re looking for someone up top to hold up the ball and bring other players into play and help us create things.
“He got a great reception when he went off. He worked his backside off and when you give 100 per cent the fans appreciate that.
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“He was a wee bit rusty but he got his reward with a goal and there is more to come from him.”
Sow’s opening trial game did not all go to plan, however, after he hit a woeful free-kick 20 yards from goal that nearly clipped the corner flag.
But the striker played his part in the opening goal after Billy King’s shot from Sow’s lay-off came back off the post, leaving fellow trialist Prince Buaben to slot the rebound into the net.
Oliver headed in a second from King’s corner in 34 minutes before Sow dispossessed dithering keeper Allan Fleming to find the net in 59 minutes.
Hearts are set to snap up Buaben on a one-year deal in the next 24 hours and Alexander is excited about the prospect of the midfielder linking up with his former Dundee United team-mate Morgaro Gomis in the engine room next season.
Former Rangers keeper Alexander said: “They were fantastic. The two of them have a great understanding.
“They cover each other and it’s a great partnership. If we can keep them fit for the whole of the season they will be a fantastic pairing for us.”
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East Fife player-manager Gary Naysmith said: “I was happy with the performance.
“We’ve lost our last three games but they’ve been against Fulham, St Johnstone and Hearts.”