Harry’s focus is on leading way to safety
HARRY COCHRANE admits being the man charged with leading Queen of the South into a survival battle has been harder than he could have imagined.
But he’s adamant the pressure won’t weigh him down as Marvin Bartley’s Doonhamers face unbeaten leaders Falkirk tonight, sitting four points above the relegation play-off place.
at just 22, former Hearts midfielder Cochrane is among the youngest in the SPFL to be handed an armband.
He said: “Being the captain is a big role and i need to step up to the plate.
“Maybe sometimes throughout a game i’m a bit quiet or concentrating on my own performance.
“So it’s been different for me being the captain this year but i need to try to switch on to my role, drag the boys through and make sure we are safe come the end of the season.
“it’s tough, especially when you’re not having a great game yourself and you need to try to get other people going as well. Whereas if you’ve not got that role, it is just yourself you’re focusing on – if you’re having a bad game, you can work your socks off and get through it. it is definitely something i need to improve on, i’m adjusting to it.
“But it’s a harder role than everybody thinks and what i first thought it was. i’m enjoying it, i like having that pressure on me because i think i’m a better player when i’ve got it on me. i’m thankful to the gaffer for putting me in that position.
“i’ve been a bit disappointed with my performances recently and i just need to try to give back what he’s given me.
“Hopefully Saturday can change a lot of things, put a lot of wrongs right.”
Queens are six games without a win but still just one point from sixth, having “put ourselves in a battle for the wrong end of the play-offs”.
But Cochrane added: “if we take care of our business and win our games, we won’t go down. it’s as simple as that.”
now 17 points in front of Hamilton, it seems a procession to the title for Falkirk – even if manager John McGlynn refuses to let his players treat it as such.
Defender Coll Donaldson said: “You know the gaffer’s personality. We could have had the league wrapped up in January and we would still be playing the exact same way that we are.”