Alex Cochrane insists a siege mentality can help Hearts dig their way out of an injury-plagued rut - even though he’s never known anything like it.
The Jambos’ woes hit new depths last week when the number of first team players in the treatment room hit double figures after a defeat at Aberdeen that saw them slip to seventh. It’s reached a point where supporters were naming a solid outfield 10 out of the crocks including a spine of Craig Halkett, Kye Rowles, Beni Baningime, Peter Haring and Liam Boyce. Those five remain unavailable for the lunchtime visit of champions Celtic as Robbie Neilson looks to end a five-game winless run.
Cochrane, who admits the gruelling schedule of domestic and European fixtures has taken its toll, says there can be no excuses ahead of another hectic week with games against the Hoops, RFS Rigas and Ross County. In fact the 22-year-old reckons they can use the despair to drive them on. Cochrane said: “I’ve never known so many players to be out before. This is the first time it has happened to me in my career.
