Laszlo considers Hearts return for red-hot Elliot

By BARRY ANDERSON
HEARTS are monitoring the progress of striker Calum Elliot, who is currently thriving on loan at Livingston, with a view to reinstating him to their first-team squad in January.
Csaba Laszlo, manager of the Tynecastle club, stressed today that he has not forgotten Elliot and has been suitably impressed by his goal-a-game ratio in the First Division.

Elliot has seven goals in seven league outings for Livingston but is due to return to Hearts in January when his six-month loan expires. His SPL performances drew criticism from supporters last season, however Laszlo believes the 21-year-old has a bright future in Edinburgh.

"I saw him two weeks ago, in every game he has scored goals," he said. "I think Elliot is a promising player so we gave him the chance to play football by going on loan. We have our eye on him, definitely, because he is scoring goals. We don't forget our young players.

"At the moment, when we have a lot of problems with scoring, we need to be in the market and looking for people. However, it is very important not to forget what you have.

"Elliot is a player from our academy and he is doing his job very well at the moment."

Laszlo will consult Anatoli Korobochka, Hearts' sport director, on Elliot's future before the player returns.

"It will be a decision between us," he continued. "I will sit with the sport director and make plans for January when the transfer
window is open. We will also talk about Elliot's future."

Meanwhile, former Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas been appointed interim coach of Lithuania's under-18 side.

The 42-year-old parted company with Vladimir Romanov in March 2007 and most recently coached the Lithuanian second division club FK Banga Gargzdai on a short-term contract. He will take charge of the under-18s against their German counterparts next Thursday and will consider making his position permanent if the Lithuanian FA wish.

Taken from the Scotsman