Cowdenbeath last night received a welcome boost ahead of this afternoon's trip to face Hibernian when they secured Hearts youngster Robbie Buchanan on loan for the rest of the season.

Manager Jimmy Nicholl has been desperately seeking attacking options during this month's transfer window and declared himself thrilled at Hearts' decision to allow the highly-rated teenager to cross the Forth for a stint in Fife. The 18-year-old made his debut in the Petrofac Training Cup defeat to Livingston in August and head coach Robbie Neilson's faith in the youngster's ability was clear when he gave him his league bow in October's Edinburgh derby against Hibs at Easter Road.

The striker has since made four further first-team appearances, including in November's Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic, and, ironically, his last outing came last month against Cowdenbeath.

Nicholl is delighted with his new recruit and admits he has detected a determination in the player ahead of this afternoon's visit to Easter Road. Nicholl said: "I know Hearts rate Robbie very highly and he's already played half a dozen times for them. Robbie Neilson and Hearts have been great in letting us get Robbie and hopefully the move will benefit both parties.

"He trained with us on Friday and from what I saw he can certainly go and do a job for us. He takes the ball in well, he's got good skill and he has an eye for goal as well. I'm thrilled to bits to have him. It's an interesting one that his debut could be against Hibs and, from talking to him, he's well up for the game."

With Hearts getting the likes of Osman Sow, Dale Carrick and Souffian El Hassnaoui back from injury, Buchanan has himself welcomed his temporary move. He tweeted: "Happy to be going on loan to Cowdenbeath till the end of the season. Hope to get some games and to be a success."