Hibs starlet Darren McCormack arrested after bust-up with Hearts rival Calum Elliot

HIBS star Darren McCormack was arrested yesterday after an alleged attack on Hearts player Calum Elliot.

Striker Elliot, 21, was taken to hospital for X-rays on a suspected broken cheekbone.

The assault is alleged to have taken place in front of late-night revellers outside the Why Not Club on George Street, Edinburgh.

Awitness said: "McCormack and a friend had been in the club and came out on to the street. Elliot's girlfriend was still in the club and he was ringing her to get her to come out."

Bouncers were nearby and raced over to stop the bust-up. One ended up with a burst nose. Police were on the scene quickly and McCormack, 20, was arrested.

The witness added: "I'm a Hibs fan but I'd have to be honest and say that I was embarrassed at what played out in front ofme."

Elliot and other witnesses were interviewed at the scene after the 2am incident.

A source at the nearby Shanghai nightclub said: "We are aware that something took place but it was door staff from another club who were involved.

"One doorman ended up with a sore nose in the jostling."

On Saturday, Hibs had played out a 0-0 draw with Aberdeen.

Despite starting in several first-team games this year, defender McCormack was not playing.

Elliot came on as a sub in his team's 2-2 draw with Rangers, where he almost snatched a goal.

McCormack signed a five-year deal to stay with Hibs last year.

He made his debut for the Easter Road side in a 4-1 win over Kilmarnock in September 2007.

McCormack was selected for the Scotland under-21s for the Norway game inMay 2008.

Elliot grew up in Edinburgh and signed for Hearts in 2004, having played with their youth initiative and Salvesen Boys Club.

He made his first team debut as a substitute against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2004.

Last night, a police spokesman confirmed: "A 20-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault on George Street. He was released with an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court."

The alleged incident follows others involving players from the bitter Edinburgh rivals recently.

Hibs' Portuguese star Filipe Morais apologised to fans after he was fined £500 for attacking an Edinburgh doorman.

The winger admitted a charge of assault on Maxims casino bouncer Robert Brown on September 26 when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December.

Morais was shipped to Inverness on a free transfer after his Hibs career soured.

Morais's team-mate Derek Riordan is banned from every night club in Edinburgh.

The striker was initially barred for a year for abusing staff, then had the penalty doubled after being spotted at another venue.

Taken from the Daily Record