YOU LUCKY SO & SOW
Robbie thrilled for old pal Osman
rOBBIe neILSOn is thrilled to see pal Osman Sow hitting a purple patch but hopes the dundee striker comes up short tomorrow night.
Neilson signed the Swede in 2014 during his first stint as Hearts manager and Sow repaid him with 12 goals as the Jambos romped to the Championship title in record-breaking time.
The 30-year-old, who has netted six times in his last three games for the Dark Blues, was then recruited by Neilson at MK Dons and Dundee United.
And after rupturing his Achilles last February, Sow is starting to look like the player Hearts sold to Chinese club Henan Jianye for more than £1million almost five years ago.
Neilson said: “Osman’s been doing well recently. I’m pleased for the big man he’s got himself back fit again.
“I’ve known him for a long time and I’m good friends with him.
“I know he’s had a difficult year to 18 months but it shows you the strength he has that he’s fought back.
“He’s always had the ability, just getting him playing regularly was the issue at MK and United. “He snapped his Achilles when he was at United and it’s been a long road back. He seems to have found his form again, which is great for him. But hopefully he doesn’t find it on Saturday.”
Neilson insists Sow is not the only player Hearts will be playing close attention to as they look to halt the Dark Blues’ five-game unbeaten run.
He said: “We speak to the players about every team and striker we come up against and it will be no different with Osman. We’ll also look at Paul McGowan, Danny Mullen and Charlie
Adam. We’ll have a video package to show them what they’ ll be up against and how to hopefully negate it.”
Neilson reckons revenge will not be the only motivation for Dundee following their 6-2 thrashing at Tynecastle in the league opener.
He added: “To be honest, every team in this league is motivated to play against us. We’re seen as a scalp. So it’s the same whether we are playing Dundee or Arbroath or Inverness.
“Our motivation is being demoted down to this league and the issues that went on in the background. We used that going into the first game and we’ll do so again.”
Neilson has confirmed winger Josh Ginnelly was the player who tested positive for Covid-19 after showing symptoms on Christmas Eve.
The on-loan Preston wideman is expected to return to training at the start of next week following a period in self-isolation.
The Jambos boss added: “He’s still isolating. That runs out on January 4 so he’ll be back training and then we will need to build him up slowly. We’ll hopefully have him fully available for the Scottish Cup game the following week.
“He’s fine. I don’t know if you know anyone that’s had it but it affects people differently. He feels a bit fluey, a bit stiff, a bit sore.
“But I spoke to him the other night. He’s in good spirits and desperate to get back in again.”