Dream start after sleepless night for Elliot

PAUL KIDDIE

IT was a case of sleepless into battle for Calum Elliot in the derby showdown with Hibs.

The 18-year-old striker hardly slept a wink on Saturday night after being told that he would be making his first start for the club in the sell-out Capital clash.

Burley broke the good news to the teenager after new signing Edgaras Jankauskas injured an ankle in training just 24 hours before the Jambos' first home game of the campaign.

With Michal Pospisil still short of fitness, Burley didn't hesitate to pin his faith in the talented youngster who had impressed him so much during the pre-season warm-up games.

Filling the boots of a Champions League winner was a daunting task for the young front man but he rose to the challenge superbly with a confident display alongside the highly rated Czech Roman Bednar as the home side put their rivals to the sword.

"I thought I did all right but could have done better on some occasions," he said.

"I knew I had a chance of playing after big Jankauskas got injured in training the day before the game.

"The gaffer spoke to me and I had a fair idea that I would be starting so it meant a sleepless night for me before the match.

"That was my first start for the club and for it to come in a derby win like that was just a dream."

Once fully fit, former Porto star Jankauskas and the Czech duo of Pospisil and Bednar will form the nucleus of the Jambos' striking department for the foreseeable future, Burley's excitement at having all three on board plain to see whenever he's asked about their potential as a unit.

Their arrivals, though, mean bad news for the likes of Elliot, Hjalmar Thorarinsson and Dennis Wyness as they all attempt to impress the new manager and force their way into the top-team frame.

Not that Elliot, who made his debut as a substitute against Inverness Caley Thistle last September, is complaining too much.

He was just delighted to be given his opportunity on such a huge stage at the weekend and will quite happily slip back into the shadows and continue his footballing education in the company of the club's talented foreigners.

"I never thought for a minute that my first start would come against Hibs and particularly in place of someone who has won the Champions League before," said the teenager. "But you have to make the most of anything which comes your way and the boss told me just to go out and enjoy myself and to keep my head up if I made any mistakes.

"I know the guys who have come in recently are going to be the first-choice strikers so I have just got to try to make sure I win a place on the bench and any more chances I get will be great experience.

"The new boys look like quality players and just training alongside them will help improve my game. I have already picked up a few things from them in the couple of weeks they have been here."

Depending on the progress which Jankauskas makes from the ankle problem which kept him out of Sunday's derby triumph, Elliot could find himself turning out for the Under-19s on Friday afternoon when Stevie Frail's side kicks off their season away to Dundee United. He won't mind in the slightest, though, as he knows that's where he will have to keep producing the goods on a regular basis to remain in his manager's thoughts.

"It doesn't get much better than beating Hibs 4-0 on my first start but I know I will have to keep playing well for the reserves and the Under-19s," said Elliot, who featured in the opening game of the season at Rugby Park after coming off the bench to replace Bednar.

"The aim is to stay in the frame for the first team but I'll only do that if I am playing well elsewhere.

"I played in most of the pre-season matches but didn't really expect to be involved so soon."

A packed Tynecastle was treated to a fireworks display prior to kick-off, the pyrotechnics helping whip the fans into a frenzy before even a ball had been kicked.

"The atmosphere at the start of the game was frightening," said Elliot.

"I couldn't hear myself think at the start of the game but it was a great experience.

"I felt under a wee bit of pressure as I didn't want to look out of place or let any of my team-mates down."

He certainly didn't do that and as the dust settles this week on another unforgettable Edinburgh derby, Elliot is looking forward to returning to the training ground and the new approach Burley has brought to proceedings.

He said: "The new boss [pictured right] has great experience and training has been quality since he came to the club. Everything is done at a high tempo and it's all much sharper.

"We are all really enjoying it. We have started well with two wins from the first two games. We're top of the league but have got to keep working away.

"Personally, I just want to stay in the manager's plans.

"We have a lot of good young players at Tynecastle and the likes of Lee Wallace has shown just what can be done. He came into the team last season and played really well.

"Hopefully I can do the same." Burley was delighted with the contribution of the youngster, who made way for Stephen Simmons after 52 minutes of the derby.

"Young Calum was given the opportunity and I knew he wouldn't let anyone down," said the Hearts boss.

"He worked his socks off and hopefully that experience will help progress him.

"He is in a squad with a lot of calibre now but he has pushed on. He's still raw but has got bags of energy and there's no doubt he enjoyed Sunday.

"He has got a lot of things going for him. He's strong, good in the air and can score goals.

"He has a lot of good attributes but equally there is still a lot for him to work at.

"I think we have raised the standard with the players which we have brought to the club and I think that has shown in the team.

"Hopefully that will help boys like Calum improve."

Taken from the Scotsman