'It’s different but I definitely like it' - Hearts ace Harry Cochrane on loan return and Daniel Stendel

Hearts starlet Harry Cochrane has admitted Daniel Stendel’s style of play is something he has never encountered before.

The 18-year-old provided an insights into the demands of the German’s philosophy.

Cochrane is yet to play for the Tynecastle boss since being recalled from his loan spell with Dunfermline Athletic in January, but has seen enough in training to know how challenging but enjoyable it is.

He revealed that the reserves are trying to replicate what Stendel wants, while explaining the mindset players require under the manager.

“His style of play is different from what anybody at Hearts is used to,” Cochrane told Livingston midfielder Marvin Bartley. “Trying to adapt to that was probably one of the hard things when I went back, it still is.

“I’m still trying to adapt to the way he wants me to play. Right now I’m just trying to stay fit because you need to be fit to play under the gaffer.

“His style of play is ‘don’t think about it, just go’. If you’ve not got the ball don’t think about what’s behind you because you need the ball to score the goal.

“Go to the ball, press the ball and if it goes by you you know you have got players behind you that are doing the same thing. Trying to adapt to that is difficult for what I’m really used to but I’m enjoying it.

“It’s about trusting each other,” he added.

“That you know if you go and it goes by you somebody else is going to be there to pick it up and vice versa. We’re trying to do it in the reserves as well and it’s working really well.

“It’s different but I definitely like it.”

‘Buzzing to be recalled’

Cochrane has opened up about his struggles with injuries and pressure across the last two seasons.

After breaking through as a 16-year-old in the 2017-2018 season, he has played just eight times for the first-team in past two campaigns.

A loan move to East End Park, along with Anthony McDonald, “excited” the player but was brought back by the new manager after 12 appearances.

“I was buzzing to be recalled,” Cochrane said. “It’s a good chance to prove I can play with the first team. When I went back the place was a wee bit down with all the results.

“I thought it was a great chance to push myself and get into the team and it was still like that when the season stopped.”

Earlier this month Stendel revealed that he “was very close to the matchday squad” before the postponement of football.

“Harry is a big talent and he played in the first team at such a young age,” he told the Evening News. “He has had ups and downs but he is one of the players we want to improve. We want him to get to a new level, higher than his best level.

“He is one of our best young players and we want to keep him.”