THE win, carved out with 10 men, was unconventional. The goal which guaranteed it even more so.

Where to begin about the player who actually put it in the net?

Osman Sow is, in the nicest possible way, a big galoot. Tall, awkward, often difficult to predict, he must be a nightmare to play against.

There is certainly something unique about him and there are not many who could have delivered this deserved victory in the manner he chose.

Hearts, having taken an early lead through Callum Paterson, had been left at a numerical disadvantage early in the second half when their captain, Blazej Augustyn, decided there was clear merit in playing the percentages, hauling down Liam Boyce as he headed for goal at the edge of the area and accepting the inevitable red card that would follow.

Juanma Delgado was taken off as the Tynecastle side reorganised, leaving Sow to plough a lone furrow up front. It was, however, a role he appeared to relish. His diligence and industry was a pleasure to watch and his reward duly came 22 minutes from time.

Jamie Walker played him in after being released on the left by Igor Rossi and the tall Swede, still learning the game at 25, cut skipped past a couple of players before rounding goalkeeper Gary Woods. The opportunity looked to have passed him by when the ball stuck under his feet, though, and it remains rather puzzling to those of us inside the stadium how he managed to rescue the situation.

Woods certainly challenged him along with at least one defender. He finished up plonked on his backside. Even so, he still managed to stretch out one of those telescopic legs and force the ball into the net.

For Paterson, it came as no surprise. When Sow is in your team, you learn to expect the unexpected.

“He is the most gangly guy you will ever meet in your life with the longest legs and the longest arms, but what he can do with them is ridiculous,” said Paterson. “He’s a great player for us.

“He’s a big, tall guy who always wears small shorts and that, but his feet are unbelievable, his finishing is great and he’s brilliant in the air.

“He scores his goals and does his tricks. He’s a fancy player, but he’s good at what he does.

“He’s got every attribute you need to be a top-class striker. He’s tall, strong, good with the ball, can hold it up and flick it on. He’s the complete striker.

“The skills he has are great, but he doesn’t let up on anybody. Even if you go down injured, he still plays on.

“If he keeps doing what he’s doing, who knows what can happen for him?”

Sow, of course, has the perfect platform for his skills approaching on Wednesday when Celtic visit in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. Despite seeing this victory consolidate his side’s position in the top three of the Ladbrokes Premiership, Robbie Neilson, the Hearts manager, has been at pains to point out that there is no way they will ever manage to maintain a season-long challenge to the defending champions.

Things are different, though, when it comes to a one-off cup game, particularly one taking place in the bearpit of Tynecastle. Ann Budge, the Hearts owner, used the match programme on Saturday to call for a capacity crowd and there is every chance it could develop into another uncomfortable evening for the Celtic manager, Ronny Deila.

“Celtic have a lot of depth in their squad and money to spend, but we’ve got a bunch of players that can do anything,” stated Paterson. “We can beat them. We’ve drawn with them in the past, so who knows what can happen on Wednesday night?

“You’ve always got to hope you can win the league, but, like I said, they’ve got a massive squad that lets them pick and choose whoever they want.

“We did well against Celtic last time, though, and got a good result against Ross County, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Neilson revealed back in August that he trains to play with 10 men in training depending on the identity of the referee. From his comments back then, it would appear to go into overdrive when Willie Collum is doing the officiating.

Paterson insists, however, that it has become a regular part of the side’s preparation and it certainly came into its own in the wake of Augustyn’s dismissal.

“It’s not to do with anyone personally,” said the right-back. “It’s just what we do. It’s part of the game and maybe some people forget that.

“You can even go down to nine men. You have to practice.”

For Ross County, there are no positives to take. They could have played for a month and failed to score, a fact underline when Craig Curran contrived to hit the post from a yard or so towards the end.

Much better will be required in the Highland derby against Inverness Caley Thistle in the last eight of the League Cup tomorrow night.

“We didn’t show up, really,” said Boyce. “Even with the advantage of a man, we didn’t move the ball quickly enough and didn’t create chances.

“I was a bit surprised by the performance, but we have a big quarter-final and Inverness will be licking their wounds after the weekend as well.”

Inverness, of course, won the Scottish Cup last season and Boyce still believes Ross County can emulate their local rivals by lifting silverware.

“They did really well and I hope we can copy that,” he said.