Hearts youngster Harry Cochrane 'buzzing' after positive start to loan spell with Montrose

Harry Cochrane pictured during his only senior competitive appearance for Hearts in 2020 - the 3-1 win over Raith Rovers in the Betfred Cup - at Tynecastle Park, on October 13 (Photo by Bill Murray / SNS Group)

The midfielder joined the League One side on a short-term deal last month, and has helped Stewart Petrie's men claim back-to-back wins in his two appearances thus far, following up a debut 3-2 victory over Forfar at Station Park on October 31 with another 3-2 win over Peterhead at Links Park last Saturday.

Cochrane started both matches, playing 68 minutes against Forfar before adding another 79 minutes against Peterhead as he builds up his match fitness, having managed just one senior competitive Hearts appearance in 2020 – the 3-1 win over Raith Rovers in the Betfred Cup – before making the switch.

"It's been the best it can be," he said as he reflected on his start to life in Angus.

"For me personally it's about coming here and developing, but it's also about getting the team wins and trying to help them do that. That's two wins in two weeks so I'm absolutely buzzing or the boys.

"The team is brilliant. I've never played in League One but I've heard things that maybe it's more long ball, but the players we've got in the team are so comfortable on the ball and it's a joy to play beside."

Cochrane, 19, is out of contract in the summer but is still part of Hearts’ long-term plans and has been loaned out to play more regularly between now and January.

He is training with the part-timers one night a week and still reporting to Riccarton daily to work with coaches and players at his parent club.

"The whole thing with Covid, it's been a long time not playing any games," Cochrane told Montrose club media. "In the second half of last season I came back from my loan [at Dunfermline] and things didn't work out how I hoped it would and I didn't get a lot of first team action.

"So the most important thing for me is coming out and getting first team games and getting minutes under my belt. For me, that's all it's about, but when I'm on the pitch I really want to win as well and thankfully we've done that. "

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