Uche Ikpeazu’s robust style of play once earned the Hearts striker the unflattering moniker of the "beast from the east".
However, it was the Japanese playmaker from the Far East who caught one observer’s eye during the 1-1 draw with Rangers at Tynecastle on Sunday.
On-loan Manchester City star Ryotaro Meshino took centre stage in Auld Reekie when he bagged his first goal for the capital club.
The 21-year-old midfielder greatly impressed alongside hitman Ikpeazu as the pair formed a superb 'Little & Large' partnership that saw the men in maroon knock Steven Gerrard's side off their perch at the summit of the Ladbrokes Premiership table.
Former Hearts and Rangers striker Iain Ferguson watched the contest and reckons the dynamic duo offer genuine hope the Jambos can haul themselves into the top six after a dreadful start to the campaign.
Ferguson said: "It was a definite case of the Little and Large show at Tynecastle with Meshino and Ikpeazu running riot.
"What a way to open your Hearts goalscoring account.
"The finish for Meshino's goal was first class and it was brilliantly executed.
"You saw exactly what the lad meant to do.
"He has controlled the ball, didn't panic and then nailed it.
"It is a goal straight out of the top drawer and you have to admire the execution of it.
"I liked the look of Meshino as he is a very promising young player.
"You can see why Manchester City have signed him and believe me a club of their stature do not buy bad footballers.
"Every time Meshino got on the ball against Rangers he caused problems.
"He played the role that Scott Arfield occupies for Rangers and he did very well when he got the ball at his feet and both his touch and movement were very good.
"He has really quick feet as he dummied a couple of opponents which was great to see.
"He looks like a fantastic talent and Hearts have managed to snap him up on loan and I am sure he will settle in and do well for the club now he is off the mark."
Ferguson loves the look of Ikpeazu, too and reckons the new partnership will bear a lot of fruit for Craig Levein.
He added: "Meshino also linked the play up really well with Ikpeazu which is largely why Hearts got some joy out of the contest and walked away with a point.
"Ikpeazu is just a throwback to the old-fashioned centre-forwards of the past.
"He clearly has a physical side to his game as he challenges for every ball but I felt his overall play was terrific.
"Scottish fans and Hearts fans like their teams to show those physical attributes but Ikpeazu held the ball up well and he has a decent touch for such a big guy.
"He was really unlucky not to open the scoring with a header inside the opening couple of minutes.
"Ikpeazu was a pivotal player for Hearts and he summed up the way the team played.
"It was a point gained for Hearts and they should be further up the Premiership table.
"Even though they are not on a good run of form I still feel that Hearts are in a false position in the league.
"The Meshino/Ikpeazu partnership is definitely something for Hearts to build on moving forward.
"Craig has motivated his players to get a good result against Rangers.
"That might just give them the confidence to kick-on now and get a few more decent results and help them climb the table."
Ferguson also admitted Hearts’ display was reminiscent of the Jambos teams of old who used to set about any opposition especially at Tynecastle.
The 57-year-old said: "It was a case of needs must for Hearts and Craig went back to a tried-and-tested formula.
"That was a Hearts performance rooted in the past.
"The Hearts philosophy was always put teams under pressure and hunt in packs and get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
"Traditionally Hearts have always played with a partnership.
"They always had a target man up front as the focal point and somebody feeding off round about him.
"That was always the way Hearts played and in my striking days at Tynecastle it was Mike Galloway who fed off me.
"It was a similar tactic deployed by Craig which worked to great effect for Hearts on Sunday with Meshino supporting Ikpeazu.
"Hearts didn't just lump the ball up the park though but they did play in a more direct and positive way
"Rangers creative players weren't able to get involved in the game or influence the contest and that was all down to the way Hearts approached the game and went about their business from the first whistle.
"They were right on top of Rangers right from the kick-off.
"Hearts were panicking Rangers all over the park and they showed great energy levels.
"One thing about Craig is that he will make sure his Hearts teams are as fit as they can be.
"That energy helped the Hearts players win a lot of their individual battles.
"The expression a hard-fought draw was never so apt for a game of football."
