ROCKET MAN COCHRANE IS STILL IN DREAMLAND
IT remains one of the most memorable moments of the season as a fresh-faced youngster picks up the ball just outside Celtic’s penalty area, steadies himself and rattles an unstoppable left-foot shot past Craig Gordon. Not only did it rocket 16-year-old Hearts midfielder Harry Cochrane to instant fame, his first-ever competitive goal for the Jambos sent the team on their way to a breathtaking 4-0 victory which ended the Parkhead side’s record-breaking 69-game unbeaten domestic run. As he signed a new three-year contract with the Tynecastle club yesterday, Cochrane took time to reflect on everything that has happened to him in a stunning breakthrough campaign. And, having already made 21 appearances for Craig Levein’s side, he revealed that he actually began the season with aspirations of flourishing for the club’s Under-20s outfit, never mind the first team. With Brighton and Leeds United thought to be tracking the teenager, it is little wonder the Tynecastle club were delighted to see him agree a 12-month extension to his previous deal that was due to expire in 2020. The SFA performance school graduate has displayed remarkable composure on the pitch at such a tender age but admitted that, off it, he still remains overwhelmed by the impact he has made. ‘I’m delighted to even be offered the new contract, so I couldn’t knock it back and I’m looking forward to playing here for another three years,’ said Cochrane. ‘I had just signed my first professional contract last summer and back then I was just hoping to get another contract after the three years here. ‘To get it now and to be where I am is just amazing. I still don’t believe it yet. ‘It’s better than I excepted it to be. I thought I might have scored a few goals against Celtic in the Under-20s. ‘The goal against Celtic is the highlight of my career but it’s also the highlight of my life so far. Hopefully, it will happen again and it’s not the last time. I just want to be playing games for Hearts and to continue to develop the way I’m developing and, hopefully, score some goals next season.’ Meanwhile, Levein has confirmed that Prince Buaben will leave the club this summer, while Connor Randall will return to Liverpool at the end of his season-long loan deal. The Hearts manager said: ‘Prince has been a great servant to this club. I feel the time is right for him to move on and stake a claim for first-team football at another club. ‘I’ve been very happy with Connor’s performances this season but we are well equipped in the right-back area.’