HEARTS hotshot Calum Elliot is vowing to make the same explosive impact on the international scene against Iceland tonight as he has done with his club this season.

The 18-year-old striker won his call up to the Scotland Under-21 set-up last week for the friendly at Partick Thistle's Maryhill Stadium despite having yet to feature for the under-19s. But being included in Maurice Malpas' pool for the clash was his reward for a campaign that has so far exceeded all his pre-season expectations.

The youngster has been on target six times for the Tynecastle team this term and has established himself as a regular starter for Graham Rix's men despite the presence of more experienced players like Edgaras Jankauskas, Roman Bednar and Michal Pospisil.

His goals have helped to fire the Jambos into the semi-finals of the Tennent's Scottish Cup as well as into contention for Champions League football next season and have even led to calls for him to be crowned as Scotland's Young Player of the Year.

His inclusion in the young Scots' squad is the latest step in his development and he admitted he's desperate to make his mark for his country. "I was really surprised to be called up,"said Elliot. "But I was delighted and it's great to be involved. Things have being going really well for me recently and if that could continue for Scotland that would be great.

"I don't know what the team is or whether I will be involved yet but even being in the squad is a great experience and you are getting to train with different players and coaches.

"If I get on it will be a really good experience and if I get a chance I hope to do myself justice."

Elliot's chances of seeing action tonight have increased after Hibs youngster Steven Fletcher was forced to withdraw from the squad along with his Easter Road team-mates Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson.

But, despite his own chances of pulling on the dark blue jersey first time being enhanced by Fletcher's call-off, Elliot insisted the Hibs' player's absence will be a blow to the team as well as a personal disappointment.

"He's been doing really well with Hibs and deserved his call-up to the national side," said Elliot.

"Of the squad he was the only guy that I knew already and I'm sure he would have done well at this level."

Taken from the Scotsman