Hearts boss Craig Levein hits out at Scott Brown following Cochrane injury

Hearts manager Craig Levein took a swipe at Scott Brown after revealing midfielder Harry Cochrane faces a spell on the sidelines following a challenge by the Celtic captain.

Cochrane, who scored in Hearts' 4-0 win over Celtic in December, suffered a collarbone injury when Brown landed on top of him after competing for a bouncing ball during Celtic's 3-1 victory on Tuesday night.

When asked whether 16-year-old Cochrane should get more protection from referees, Levein said: I think everybody should get a little bit more protection from Scott Brown.''

The former Scotland boss added: I was annoyed about that. I watched it back and I think Scott, after the game at Tynecastle when Harry bossed him, I think he decided he wasn't going to let that happen.

Listen, I've known Scott for a long time and he's aggressive in the way he plays, but...''

Hearts are still assessing how long the teenager will be out.

I don't know but he'll certainly be out for the next two or three matches by the looks of things,'' Levein said ahead of Saturday's Ladbrokes Premiership encounter with St Johnstone