Alex Cochrane in Hearts future confession as Brighton loanee admits he wants to be 'put in the show window'

Alex Cochrane insists a loan switch to Hearts has taken his game up a level with standards setter John Souttar driving him on.

Now the midfielder is desperate to bag a deal for next season and reckons the Premiership is the perfect shop window to do just that.

Whether it’s with Robbie Neilson ’s outfit, parent club Brighton or elsewhere, the 21-year-old knows his hopes of winning a contract will be boosted if he can impress in the Jambos’ push for third place plus Scottish Cup glory.

Cochrane is nearing the end of a year-long loan in Gorgie from the Amex, where his deal is up in June.

He hasn’t ruled out extending his stay and Tynecastle chiefs are understood to be keen on handing the England Under-20 cap a permanent deal.

But Cochrane, who admits he was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Premiership when he arrived, is focused on improving his game next to the inspirational force of soon-to-depart Souttar.

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He said: “In terms of a contract, there’s nothing I’ve heard of at the moment. I’m sure at the end of the season there might be something.

“It’s 100 per cent about putting myself in the shop window. I want to play as many games as I can.

“I will push hard in training, work on my game a