FOOTBALL legend Alan Shearer labelled former Saint Russell Osman as "one of the best" two-footed players he has ever seen.

Former England international centre-back Osman joined Saints when he was 29 years old in 1988, making 120 appearances for the club. 

Shearer played alongside the experienced professional for four years as a youngster while learning his trade. 

The striker picked out Osman when asked the best players he had seen who were capable of using both feet. 

"You may not remember a guy I am going to mention, Russell Osman," Shearer told The Rest is Football Podcast.

Daily Echo: Russell OsmanRussell Osman (Image: Daily Echo)

"He was unbelievable and you couldn't tell if it was left foot or right foot when I was a youngster at Southampton.

"He used to spray it around with either foot and he was one of the best I have seen. He was incredible." 

Osman scored five of his six goals for Saints in the 1989-90 season, in which he buried a brace versus Everton at the Dell in January 1990. 

Osman went on to play for and manage Bristol City after departing the Dell in 1992 - the same year Shearer moved to Blackburn Rovers.