Hearts boss Craig Levein tips youngster Harry Cochrane to be a future Scotland star

HEARTS manager Craig Levein tipped Harry Cochrane as a Scotland player in the making after the teenager starred in the 2-1 derby win over Hibernian.

The midfielder, who turned 17 last month, set up Steven Naismith’s winner, twice came close himself, and generally showed composure and class on the ball in a feisty and hectic encounter.

Cochrane more than held his own as tackles flew on a Tynecastle pitch that had been cut in the wake of Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers’ criticism.

When asked about his performance, Levein said: “Unbelievable. Honestly, I don’t think he gave the ball away all evening. His touch, on a pitch that was really slick, was sublime. It’s really good players that can perform like that on a pitch like that.”

Cochrane has now played 23 games for Hearts and Levein feels he has not worked with a more promising youngster.

“I’ve maybe coached some but none of them have proved the fact they can play at just turned 17 at this level and be – I thought he was the best player in midfield,” the former Scotland manager said.

“John McGinn is a fantastic player and rightly gets loads of plaudits but basically Harry was better than him.

“I’m really excited about seeing how he develops, as should everybody in Scotland, because I’m sure he will be an international player of the future.”

Levein also praised the slight midfielder’s bravery.

“He doesn’t shirk any tackles,” he said. “I think he had one where he had three block tackles in a row and came out with the ball. That’s tenacity, and all the best players have got that in them.

“That atmosphere out there is really quite hot and intimidating and he was the coolest head on the pitch for sure.”