HARRY OUT TO BULK UP
HARRY COCHRANE has decided to hit the gym after revealing he’s still suffering from his collision with Scott Brown.
The Hearts midfielder has signed a new threedeal at Tynecastle as he bids to continue his stunning progress.
Boss Craig Levein leapt to the defence of the 16-year-old in February when he was clattered by Brown and had to be taken off after just 38 minutes of a 3-1 defeat at Parkhead.
Levein reckoned it was payback for Cochrane’s starring role in an earlier 4-0 demolition of Celtic.
Cochrane’s wounds have yet to heal but, as pal Anthony MacDonald also committed to the club for the next three years, the midfielder is toughening up for the Premiership.
Cochrane said: “The shoulder is still sore but it showed me I have to get in the gym more.
“It is difficult when you’re as wee as I am and that’s why you have to think more. You have to be a step ahead, if not you get smashed on the ball.”
Cochrane will have a team-mate over twice his age next term after Levein swooped for 35-year-old Steven MacLean.
The Gorgie gaffer said: “Steven is comparable to Roddy Grant. I played against Roddy – he knew the game and was very strong but pace was never his thing.
“That allowed Roddy to play well into his thirties and Steven is the same. At the age of 35 he could get even better.”
Hearts head to Ibrox tomorrow and Levein expects a reaction from Rangers after their Scottish Cup thrashing from Celtic.
He said: “I would expect some sort of rebound. They’ll come out fighting.”