Hearts midfielder Harry Cochrane admits his breakthrough season at Tynecastle is a dream come true.
The 16-year-old has become a recognised member of Craig Levein’s side this term having racked up 18 appearances since making his debut in last September’s defeat at Dundee.
The highlight of the teenager’s eye-catching campaign so far was his goal-scoring contribution in ending Celtic’s 69-game unbeaten domestic record with a 4-0 thrashing of Brendan Rodgers’ side in December.
Cochrane is currently with the Scotland Under-17s ahead of today’s final Elite Round clash against Germany after sitting out recent squads due to his club involvement and admits he is having to pinch himself over his meteoric rise to prominence.
He said: “Honestly, I don’t know where to start. This season has been like a dream come true.
“I didn’t expect any of it to happen so quickly.
“My initial aim was just to make sure I was a regular for the development team and then maybe make my first-team debut later in the season.
“Hearts have been great with me. I don’t think every manager would show the kind of faith Craig Levein has with the likes of Anthony McDonald and I.
“It’s not just been for a few minutes here and there either.
“He’s started us in important games and encouraged us to play our way. The goal against Celtic obviously meant the world to me as well.”
Cochrane, who started the opening Group 8 matches against the hosts Greece and Norway, added: “I’ve had so many unbelievable experiences with Hearts this season and I owe them everything for having the faith to put me into a first team environment at my age.
“That’s obviously led to me missing a few games for Scotland along the way but I always stay in touch with the boys and would look enviously at the Snapchat videos when they were all away on international duty.”
