The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
More Jambos wonderkids in pipeline, claims Cowie
Hearts: Fife teen McDonald among those praised for their ‘great attitude’
Fife wonderkid Anthony McDonald and his fellow teenage star Harry Cochrane are just the tip of the iceberg in a golden generation at Tynecastle, insists veteran Don Cowie.
The former Inverness and Watford midfielder firmly believes the current crop of young Jambos will be comparable with the batch that saw Jamie Walker, Callum Paterson and Sam Nicholson emerge and reckons 10 youngsters could break into the first-team.
McDonald, a former pupil of St Marie’s RC Primary School in Kirkcaldy, featured in the startling 4-0 win over Celtic on Sunday, just days after claiming two assists on his debut against Dundee.
And fellow 16-year-old Cochrane scored his first goal for the club as they ended the Hoops’ 69-game unbeaten run in stunning style.
“I keep getting told that those boys hadn’t been born when I made my debut,” laughed Cowie. “Well, that makes me feel great.” That isn’t quite true. Cochrane was all of one month old when Cowie made his bow in May 2001 as Inverness battered Raith Rovers 4-0 in the old First Division.
“When I was 16 I wasn’t even contemplating first team football,” said Cowie. “They are, because of their ability. “Everything else will happen in due course, but they have a great attitude and are a breath of fresh air.
“They take the advice that’s given and it was great to see the rewards there for them on Sunday.
“They drive the senior players on because, if we don’t step up, they will take our place. That’s the reality of it.”
The likes of Jamie Brandon, Lewis Moore, Rory Currie and Daniel Baur have also been involved this term as Craig Levein gives youth a chance.
“It isn’t just Harry (Cochrane) and Ant (McDonald),” continued Cowie.
“There are half a dozen – maybe 10 – who are champing at the bit to get involved.
“We’ve said how exciting a time it is and, when you aren’t winning people might say ‘it’s not exciting’.
“But when the results start to turn, and these young players are involved, then it is exciting. A lot of the boys are training with us now on a daily basis and we see their quality first-hand so we are confident they are ready if the manager picks them.”