Harry Cochrane picked up the SPFL Reserve Cup with Hearts earlier this month and could now be in line for a top team start in next month’s Scottish Cup final.
The teenage midfielder came on as a second half substitute against Rangers during Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle.
It was his first outing since Steven Gerrard’s team were last in Gorgie back in December due to a number of injuries this season.
However, Cochrane is hopeful of more game time between now and the end of the season, with the Scottish Cup final at Hampden against Celtic one he’s desperate to be involved in.
“I've won the Reserve Cup this season and you can't beat that feeling of celebrating on the pitch with the boys,” he said. “It gives you a taste for it and hopefully I can experience one with the first team.
“I've not played an awful lot of football, but I've had reserve football to try and stake my claim and reach my best levels of fitness.
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"I was away on international break with Scotland (under-19s) in March as well and, although I didn't play as much as I would have liked, it was another good experience and the focus is now on getting more games under my belt during the run-in.
“I want to play every game. Sadly, it doesn't always work out like that but that's my hope and I can hopefully make an impact if the gaffer calls on me again.”
A final berth could now be a realistic aim for Cochrane, who celebrates his 18th birthday today. Peter Haring is struggling with a groin problem that could see him touch and go to be fit in time.
Manager Levein is conscious that Cochrane has struggled with injury himself this season, but would have no fear about playing him in Hearts’ biggest game of the season.
“Harry had had five different injuries and has taken a while to get himself back, and I need to be careful with him,” he explained.
“He is not the most robust of players and, although he is a tough wee bugger, he is not physically capable of defending himself.
“With the injuries and his body weight not quite being where it should be, I’ve kind of been looking after him a little bit.
“But he did quite well when he came on and I’ve got enough faith in him to know that if I put him into the final he would deal with it no bother.”
Cochrane believes the worst of his fitness concerns are now behind him, although he revealed he was warned that this season to be more difficult compared to when he made his top team breakthrough last season, so expected it.
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He said: “I feel like this is as good a shape I've been in all season. I had a few injuries at the start of the campaign and they did knock me back a little bit.
“But I did know this season would be a little bit like that. The coaches here told me 'your second year will be the toughest'. That is how it has turned out, but I'm still determined to work hard and get back in the team.
“I was expecting a tough one. Last year I played quite a lot of games and there's been a fair reduction this season. I still hope to get more minutes in the last few games.
“I need to get a wee bit bigger and that would maybe help to stop some of the niggling injuries. There have been a few knocks and pains.
“But I've been putting in the hours in the gym all year so hopefully I'll turn up next season looking like a beast!”
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