Elliot pledges future to Hearts

HEARTS have handed 19-year-old striker Calum Elliot a new five-year deal which extends the teenager's stay at the Tynecastle club until 2011.

Elliot was given his first-team debut against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in September 2004 when he came on as substitute in a 1-0 league win.

However, it was last season that he became an established part of the first team squad, helping Hearts progress to their Champions League qualification spot although missing out on the Tennent's Scottish Cup final victory over Gretna at Hampden despite having played in the previous four rounds.

Elliot signed his first professional deal at the turn of the year, agreeing a three-and-a-half year contract. Yesterday's announcement extends his projected stay at Tynecastle by two years.

Elliot, who has also made the breakthrough into the Scotland Under-21 side, is still eligible for the Under-19s and will travel to Poland next month for the European Under-19 Championships.

And the young striker is looking forward to continuing his football education at the Gorgie club.

He said: "I am delighted at securing my future with Hearts as I truly believe that the club is destined for great things in future seasons.

"I am learning every day from the players around me.

"I am also looking forward to the challenge of facing some of the best teams in Europe and will continue to work on all areas of my game in order to maintain the progress I have made in recent seasons."

• Dunfermline have cut their losses by almost a half for the second time in two years and expect to soon be able to show a profit.

The Pars' latest accounts reveal an operating loss of £791,000 to 31 August, 2005, compared to £1.4million in 2004 and £2.79million in 2003.

The club expect the results to 31 May to show a slight operating profit of £50,000.

• Clyde have confirmed they will host Rangers and Hearts during pre-season. The Bully Wee will face the Ibrox club on 15 July and Hearts on 30 July.

Taken from the Scotsman