Alex Cochrane backing himself despite uncertainty over Hearts future

The defender has been on loan at Hearts from Brighton & Hove Albion for the duration of the season and has generally impressed with his performances in the cinch Premiership, either on the left side of head coach Robbie Neilson’s preferred back three or at wing-back.

His contract with the Premier League club expires at the end of the campaign and – even though Brighton assistant technical director, and former Hearts player, David Weir still checks in on the 21-year-old’s progress – the reality is an EPL player being sent on loan to the Scottish top flight in the final year of his deal is unlikely to be offered another. Even if they are it’s typically a ploy from the club to earn some development compensation.

Born and bred in Brighton, he’s spent the entirity of his career with his local club having joined at a very early age. Not long after his 22nd birthday he’ll have to make the decision on where he goes next. It’s a crucial choice for any young footballer. Get it wrong and it can set a career back years. Get it right and the road to the top illuminates once again.

He doesn’t know whether his next permanent home will be in Edinburgh with discussions yet to take place with Hearts over a permanent deal or whether he’ll have to look elsewhere. But he does know he can’t let it act as a distraction as he looks to fend off the challenge from team-mate Andy Halliday for the left wing-back spot, which is the main threat standing between Cochrane and playing regularly from now until the end of May.

"My contract is up this summer. I’m just focusing on my football and anything behind closed doors I leave to my agent,” he said.

“Personally, I don’t really feel the pressure. I just want to go on the pitch and enjoy football, do