Preston North End and Paul Heckingbottom face clear decision over £2.1m record signing

When it comes off for Milutin Osmajic, it is emphatic viewing. Previous manager Ryan Lowe, for all the criticism which came his way, did have a decent eye for a striker. When the chances come do come his way, the Montenegro international rarely makes a mistake. Of course, anyone who has watched the number 28 will be aware of the areas which require improvement: touch, awareness, timing of runs. As far as starting points go, though, Osmajic’s is pretty deadly.

His eight goals last season came from 25 attempts at goal, with two headers tucked away and six strikes buried. Osmajic’s all round game is somewhat untidy but in front of goal, when the ball drops, there is clarity and conviction there. He is strong and powerful, but those two great weapons are not always utilised effectively. A positive, though, is that manager Paul Heckingbottom - after Osmajic’s first appearance under him - was clear in his mind about how the front man should be used.

“Milly’s a very direct player who plays on the last man, which is where we want him,” Heckingbottom told in-house media. “I’m not bothered if he doesn’t do anything else, keep him out the way and play on the last man. He’d have probably got on the pitch on Saturday if he’d have been fit and well enough, so I’m pleased with him. There’s still a lot that needs to improve in him and the other players, but I think the biggest thing is getting the rewards for working hard and just trying to enjoy their football.”

It is easy to focus on a player’s weaknesses, especially when they are technical-based and at times frustrating to watch. Osmajic is, perhaps, a player who needs a fully-functioning system around him - and his own game simplifying - in order to shine. The power and accuracy in his shot is devastating and he has shown a calm head in front of goal, when staying onside and racing through at speed. Physically, he should be a nightmare to play against; that area can get better too.

The first season was always going to be one of settling in and adjusting, not just to the football but also a completely new life in England. Osmajic now has a greater grasp of the language and Lilywhites. He has scored two hat-tricks for the club and is one of North End’s assets, contracted until 2027. Preston do have strong competition in attack, which is a good thing. Will Keane is polished and Emil Riis is a proven threat at the level, but as this campaign progresses you would hope to see Osmajic grab the shirt.

If PNE are spending £2.1million on a player - not mega-money compared with the rest of the division, but a club-record fee - then they need to feature regularly. So, it is on all parties to get Osmajic firing and performing consistently this season. Last year, his highest run of starts was six - and that was immediately after signing on transfer deadline day, following injury to Keane. He was thrust straight in.

After that, Osmajic was used off the bench 17 times and named in the XI on 13 occasions. There were a couple of minor knocks suffered and the front man found himself constantly in and out, with team selection generally inconsistent. Riis and Keane are off the mark in this league campaign and it won’t be easy dislodging either of those. It certainly is a squad game, but maybe Osmajic just needs a real run in the side - and the onus put firmly on him to nail down a place.