Alexander has no doubt that hotshot will shoot down Hibs
HEARTS goalkeeper Neil Alexander reckons Abiola Dauda is ready to make his presence felt against Hibernian at the second time of asking after netting a brace against Ross County.
The Nigerian marksman, who joined the Jambos on deadline day, was handed a baptism of fire last Sunday when he was pitched straight into the starting eleven for the Edinburgh derby.
Replacing Osman Sow, who has made a lucrative switch to Chinese side Henan Jianye, he struggled to make an impact during a breathless, frantic 2-2 draw in the Scottish Cup fifth round.
However, Dauda illustrated his potential four days later, scoring a double in Dingwall to secure a 3-0 win for Hearts after coming on as a secondhalf substitute.
Allied with further impressive displays in training, Alexander reckons the Vitesse Arnhem loanee is rapidly finding his feet in Scotland.
The 37-year-old lauded: “The midweek goals will do Abiola’s confidence the world of good – and he is looking very good in training so I think he can kick us on for the rest of the season.
“After those goals against County, he will be going into the upcoming games with a lot of confidence.
“Of course Osman Sow is a huge loss and obviously you want to keep your best players, but it was a bit of good business for the club and you have to move on.
“Players move on and you have to replace them and we feel we have done that by bringing in good players like Abiola.”
Alexander, who enjoyed an unexpected afternoon without action when Hearts’ Premiership clash with Partick Thistle was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Tynecastle on Saturday, has been buoyed by the return of Jamie Walker.
The gifted winger also found the net against County, capping his first start since October 24 with a goal after undergoing surgery to cure a persistent knee injury.
Despite adding Don Cowie, John Souttar and Dauda on the last day of the transfer window, Alexander believes Walker’s return will prove equally important during the run-in.
He added: “We feel we have brought in good players and we also have Jamie Walker coming back.
“He is getting a few more games and getting back to full fitness and is looking good, so he is like a new signing for us.”
Meanwhile, Hearts are sweating over the fitness of Prince Buaben ahead of the derby clash.
The Ghanaian had been ruled out of the weekend visit of Partick prior to its postponement after he limped off just 10 minutes into the 2-2 draw with Hibs eight days ago.
However, Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson is hopeful that he can play some part into the matchday squad at Easter Road, which will be boosted by the returns of Igor Rossi and Blazej Augustyn.
Neilson said: “We’re gearing Prince up for the game on Tuesday.
“He had a problem with his hamstring injury at the start of the season and he had another wee niggle in it against Hibs.
“He came off early but if he’d played on any longer, it could have been worse. Hopefully he’ll be alright for Tuesday.”