Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Chris Mochrie: The Dundee United starlet ready for Tannadice push following Dunfermline glory campaign

Mochrie insists he's 'not a young boy' following his campaign in Fife

Chris Mochrie celebrates Dunfermline's league title
Mochrie won the League One title with Dunfermline. Image: Craig Brown Photography

Chris Mochrie has already lapped up a wild title party alongside giddy Pars fans on the streets of Dunfermline.

On Saturday, he finally gets his hands on the League One trophy in front of his beaming friends and family.

It will be the crowning moment of a formative season in the Kingdom of Fife.

I’m a lot more ready to be in a first-team environment and don’t feel like a young boy any more.

Chris Mochrie

Regular senior action, bumper crowds, the pressure to win every week and claim promotion; the sort of experience that will make a fresh-faced prospect grow up fast.

Once United’s youngest ever player — making his debut aged 16 years and 27 days back in May 2019 — Mochrie’s natural talent has never been in doubt.

He now feels fully prepared to fulfil it.

Mochrie, second from right, celebrates Dunfermline’s title win. Image: Craig Brown Photography

“I think I’ve improved a lot during this loan,” Mochrie told Courier Sport. “I’m more ready to be in a first-team environment and don’t feel like a young boy any more.

“I’ll be much more confident to go in for Dundee United training in pre-season and show what I can do. This season was about playing games and progressing — I’ve done that at Dunfermline.

“It’s been a great experience to play for a club with massive expectations, in front of big crowds. We’ve only lost one (league) game this season so I couldn’t have asked for any more.

“I’ve never really had that demand to play and win EVERY week. It’s something different and definitely something you need to adapt to, and learn how to handle. If you are losing at half-time, for example, you need to stay calm and confident.

Mochrie also made his Scotland U21 debut this term. Image: SNS

“It’s a different kind of pressure and something that will stand me in good stead.”

James McPake belief

Mochrie, 20, has contributed a combined six goals and assists in 35 appearances during the Pars’ impressive march to the League One title; his most impactful season to date, and the most senior football he has played in one campaign.

There have been highs, lows and inconsistencies — such is the life of a young footballer — but he has illustrated his obvious ability.

And there are few bigger admirers of his gifts than Dunfermline manager James McPake.

The former Dundee captain and manager is unlikely to win any popularity contests at Tannadice, but McPake has worked tirelessly to bring the best out of Mochrie; as a player and a personality.

“The gaffer (McPake) is always talking to me about things I can do better,” he continued. “Even during spells out of the team, he goes through lots of video footage and tells me how I need to improve.

All you want is a manager who shows belief in you — and I can’t thank him enough for the opportunities.

James McPake and Chris Mochrie. Image: Craig Brown Photography.

“From the conversations we have, he seems to rate me and is passionate about me doing well.”

Party time

And after a campaign of lofty standards and stellar results, Dunfermline won the title in sensational style with a 5-0 triumph over Queen of the South earlier this month.

It was a cool experience to see so many fans out celebrating — it was mobbed!

Chris Mochrie

Although Mochrie does have a winners’ medal from United’s 2019/20 Championship campaign, he was a bit-part player and celebrations were understandably muted amid the Covid crisis.

The aftermath of the Pars’ triumph was something else entirely.

Mochrie in full flow for Dunfermline. Image: SNS

We’ve certainly been able to enjoy the celebrations — and you’ve got to relish the high points when the come along,” smiled Mochrie.

“There was an event put on at the stadium with supporters’ clubs. There was a place set aside for family, then we were able to go out in town and have a wee party and see the fans.

“It was a cool experience to see so many fans out celebrating — it was mobbed.

“It gave you that sense of what it meant to the supporters. Dunfermline should never be in League One. You feel that when you play for the club.”

Mochrie has made 21 senior appearances for United. Image: SNS

And Saturday’s encounter with Clyde will be the prelude to a moment of catharsis and joy for players and fans alike, as the Pars are presented with the trophy. The misery of last term finally asuaged.

“I’ve managed to play a lot of games this season and it’s a really nice feeling to know I’ve helped the team win this trophy,” he added. “It’ll be a special day.”

Conversation