Dunfermline Athletic have announced the loan signings of Hearts youngsters Harry Cochrane and Anthony McDonald.

The 18-year-old duo join Stevie Crawford’s Pars on a season long loan deal with the Jambos able to recall one or both players in January and the Pars able to cancel one or both loans in January too.

These latest moves show a continuation of the good relations between the clubs following last season as Aidan Keena and Malaury Martin both joined the club on loan.

#DAFC is delighted to announce the signing of Hearts youngsters @harrycochrane01 and @anthonymcdd

Midfielder, Harry and Winger, Anthony will join us on season long loan deals. Both clubs have an option to recall the players in January.

More later at https://t.co/XYXvd9rod6 🏁 pic.twitter.com/yqqE5ABSUE

— Dunfermline Athletic (@officialdafc) August 30, 2019

Where can they fit in?

The fact that there are some Hearts fans disappointed at the deals and calling for their inclusion in the first team is a sign of just how good the two players are.

Cochrane arrives at the Fife club off the back of an injury ravaged season in need of game time.

The midfielder exploded onto the scene a few seasons back and with Hearts making several signings in the midfield department over the Summer, the move makes perfect sense for him.

The Scotland youth international is a central midfielder by trade and will add some depth to Crawford’s midfield department and will probably start as a rotational option.

Cochrane shows a real calmness on the ball for someone of his age and is always looking to get into good positions for teammates.  Despite his lack of physical strength, Cochrane is not scared to get himself stuck in.

Tom Beadling and Paul Paton have been the preferred partnership in the middle of the park so far for Crawford and Cochrane will be a good alternative to have available. His arrival could well see Crawford experiment tactically with a three-man midfield too.

As for McDonald, the 18-year-old’s versatility will come in particularly handy for Crawford with him able to play on either wing.

He likes to carry the ball, is not afraid to take opponents on and is also good at taking set-pieces, which will be of great use to the Pars. Similarly to Cochrane, his strength is a weakness of his.

McDonald spent the second half of last season on loan at Inverness and should provide good competition for Pars current wingers Ryan Dow and Josh Coley.

Hopefully he will be able to carry on his early season form upon his arrival at East End Park with him having scored one goal and tallied two assists across 337 minutes between Hearts senior and reserve sides.