Alex Cochrane out to settle Rangers score as hurting Hearts star determined to make Hampden amends

Alex Cochrane admits Hearts shot themselves in the foot as they handed Rangers victory at Ibrox.

But the Jambos defender insists there’s no reason that galling Govan collapse has to trigger fresh heartache at Hampden. Steven Naismith’s team looked set to hand the Light Blues their fourth Premiership defeat of the season already after striking early through Lawrence Shankland’s perfect header. But the Gorgie men couldn’t hold on as a 90th-minute penalty from Rangers skipper James Tavernier drew the home side level before they pounced again with a deadly Danilo finish to kill off the Edinburgh side.

Cochrane confessed his side only have themselves to blame, with Peter Haring’s tug on Connor Goldson handing Philippe Clement’s side the chance to square things off. But he believes they can make amends this Sunday when the two clubs do it all again in the semi-finals of the Viaplay Cup.

Asked if he feared the agony at Ibrox would have an impact on their Hampden showdown, the former Brighton left-back said: “No I don’t think so, we have positives to take from this week. We have shot ourselves in the foot with the goals and the times of them but there are also positives to take and we will look at them.

“Livingston on Wednesday night is the main focus but we will go in next Sunday full of confidence and belief because we did that at Ibrox. We put in a good performance for 90 minutes but it obviously wasn’t enough.”

Naismith felt his side was hard done by with the penalty call – Gers’ second of the game – after insisting Haring had been fouled by John Lundstram before the Gorgie midfielder pulled on Goldson’s jersey. But Cochrane reckons that even while it was a blow to see John Beaton point to the spot, his team should have