Alex Cochrane admitted losing to Hibs was not a nice feeling but he assured Hearts supporters that the squad have recovered from Saturday’s 5-0 reverse in the cinch Premiership at Ibrox.
And, on the eve of the club’s cinch Premiership clash with their Capital rivals, the popular player stressed: “We understand the importance of this game to fans.”
Brighton-born Cochrane desperately wants a win over their arch rivals and said: “We set our standards and we know what is expected of ourselves and of every player.”
The performance of the side during the Rangers game was not an acceptable according to the defender who added: “To go there on the form we have been on and to concede five poor goals, especially when we have been defensively solid this season, was disappointing.
“This game (against Hibs) is the perfect game to come back to. If you ask any player what game they would like after that (the Ibrox defeat) then it would be a Derby.
“It is one we all want to play in and it is one where you can get up for the easiest. It is a game with the best atmosphere and it is one we are looking forward to.”
Derby clashes, he argued, can be frantic, “100 miles and hour”, and the outcome is important for the fans and players who have Celtic on the horizon at Tynecastle on Sunday (noon).
Hearts won at Easter Road in the last Derby after a draw at rain-soaked Tynecastle and 23-year-old Cochrane, who has only lost in one Derby since the England under-16 and under-20 cap arrived at Tynecastle in 2022, said: “We need to be ready for it. It will be tough, but we have to go into the game with confidence.
“We expect to have a fast start in every game but, on Wednesday night, we need a fast start, a good start, but Hibs have a threat and we need to be aware of that.”
He argued that each game changes, especially in a Derby, which, he conceded, can get “fiesty” and Cochrane added: “Sometimes football goes out of the window. It is about who battles the hardest, but we know what we need to do on the night. It is an important game for both teams, but it is about us and making sure we deliver.”
PICTURE: Alex Cochrane by Ian Jacobs
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