Elliot comes back with a bang to silence the doubters

WHISPER it, but Calum Elliot might just be ready to silence a few doubters. If he continues to provide Hearts with the cutting edge shown on Saturday, he can answer manager Csaba Laszlo's call for a striker in the process.
Finally, things seem to be looking up for a player supporters have loved to hate in the not-too-distant past.

From Youtube dancing clips to fans' jeering to an alleged street fracas with Hibs players, Elliot has been through it all in recent seaso ns. He is one of the few men in Scotland capable of empathising with Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor as they are lampooned up and down the country.

Elliot knows only too well what it's like to suffer a public lambasting, but now he looks to be emerging a stronger, leaner, meaner footballer; one ready to live up to the expectations which go with playing for Hearts.

Having watched Danny Invincibile nod the opening goal for Kilmarnock on eight minutes, he sprang into action. He set about demolishing the opposition with two predatory finishes, plus relentless movement, hustling and all-round energy which the visitors simply couldn't handle.

His presence in the six-yard box led to Bruno Aguiar's third goal and he was also brought down by Ryan O'Leary for a penalty which Hearts' Portuguese midfielder subsequently missed.

When Elliot was withdrawn a minute from time, the standing ovation was entirely appropriate from a stadium which has not always been kind to him.

Finding consistency of form has proven difficult in recent years for the former Scotland Under-21 forward, leading to sections of the Hearts support turning on him.

However, to their credit, the naysayers stood and cheered one of their own as he jogged towards the technical area after one of his finest performances in a maroon shirt.

"It's not that I had a point to prove, I just needed a run of games and hopefully I can get that through to the end of the season and show that I can help the team secure third spot," he said.

"Hopefully I can try and build on my last couple of performances. I want to give the manager something to think about regarding who plays up front and I think I've done that.

"He is always on my case, telling me to work harder. Maybe it's taken somebody to do that, kind of get on my back and work me harder to get me to do well. Between now and the end of the season I want to get a regular game. It was frustrating not playing but you can only listen to the manager and use his experience to become a better player."

Saturday was Elliot's first start of the season for Hearts having spent the initial six months of the campaign scoring 11 goals in 14 games on loan at First Division Livingston. "Maybe going away and playing that number of games in a row helped," he explained.

"I hadn't done that for three years or so and it can only help you as a player. I've had to wait over three months since I've come back but you've got to train hard and wait till the manager is willing to give you a chance.

"The manager wouldn't have brought me back if he didn't feel I could make a contribution. He's given me my chance and it's something I have to build on. It was my first start since I came back so hopefully getting the two goals will help.

"We have a couple of massive games coming up, the kind you want to be involved in, and hopefully I can be involved."

Elliot is now a certain starter against Celtic barring injury. His energetic display helped Laszlo's much-questioned 4-4-1-1 formation run with precision.

With Elliot a more mobile focal point than Christian Nade, attacking midfielders Aguiar, Andy Driver and David Obua found interchanging with the striker far easier. Consequently, 4-4-1-1 quickly became 4-2-3-1, and 4-2-4 in the final third. The resultant pressure saw Kilmarnock buckle.

Perhaps the turnaround in supporters' feelings towards Elliot was best illustrated after he won the aforementioned penalty. As Aguiar grabbed the ball, Hearts fans struck up a chant of "we want Elliot". But breaking one of Laszlo's rules is not advisable.

"We are not in a Christmas market," said the Hungarian. "We have in training two or three players who try to shoot penalties. The confidence was there with Obua and Bruno and they were the ones nominated for the penalties.

"Bruno had the possibility and he did not score, but this happens. Normally you must score and every goal is important at the moment. Our scoring is not the best and so every goal is important at the end of the season.

"Calum Elliot must be happy. It was not important to give him the penalty. If he scores two goals against Celtic then this can be good. He had two or three good chances with good movement and shots.

"My gift to Calum was not to give him the penalty but it was to bring him out five minutes from the end to applause from the people. He found this gift himself.

"I must make a compliment to the fans, especially for the relationship with Elliot. We made a very big step to the positive and we must now keep this.

"After winning games the morale is high. Elliot scored two goals which was not easy. The second goal, I think, was a fantastic goal."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies admitted: "We were in a precarious position before the game," alluding to his side's worrying record of no wins since their 4-2 victory at Easter Road on December 27. "After the split there are going to be a few massive games.

"We got off to a terrific start against Hearts, it was a terrific ball and a great header by Invincibile but we gave them too much room.

"To get in front was a bonus but we never put them under pressure."

By contrast, Jefferies' own defenders were run ragged. It would seem Elliot is back with a bang.

Taken from the Scotsman