Cochrane admits

WATCHING Billy Gilmour conquer Serie A brought a smile to Harry Cochrane's face.

- BY FRASER WILSON

burst on to the Premiership scene as a 16-year-old at Hearts, becoming the Jambos' youngest ever goalscorer as he helped end Celtic's 69-game unbeaten run in a 4-0 Tynecastle trouncing.

Cochrane's form in that breakthrough season with the Jambos caught the eye of Italian giants Juventus.

The midfielder even met with a Juve representative in a Bothwell restaurant and spoke football, ambitions and pasta.

Like any teenager he was excited beyond belief. But, for whatever reason, a follow-up call from Italy never arrived.

Cochrane - still only 24 - has just left Queen of the South as he looks to climb up the ranks again.

And opening up on that brush with a Turin break, Cochrane told MailSport: "What could have been ... it would have been brilliant.

"My dad had even offered to move over with me. It looked like it was happening and even though Dad told me not to get over-excited before there was a concrete offer, it was hard not to.

"Juventus sent a guy over to meet me and my family.

"We just talked football really. It wasn't anything like deals - just a meet-up over a meal.