HEARTS manager Csaba Laszlo has given the green light for Calum Elliot to go out on loan, with Inverness favourites to land the Scotland Under-21 striker.
Laszlo has spent the past week assessing the squad and believes a change of scenery for the
marksman would be beneficial. Elliot has struggled for form in recent seasons and last term spoke of his desire to leave Hearts after being subjected to abuse from large sections of the Tynecastle support.
The club's fans made their feelings clear again on Monday when Elliot made a substitute appearance in the Umbro Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Glentoran in Belfast. Elliot's agent Jim McArthur said: "Calum has spoken with Hearts and they are willing to let him go on loan to the right club."
Inverness have been previously linked with a move for the player and Caley director of football Graeme Bennett revealed they are hopeful of luring him to the Highlands. He said: "We are quite well down the road with regards to Calum Elliot. Since Hearts appointed their new manager we've spoken again and from what we've heard so far, it's certainly encouraging.
"It's no secret that we're interested in the player and would like the opportunity to talk to him, but it would be extremely doubtful that we could do anything before the squad travel out to Denmark on Sunday." In the event that Elliot does not move north, Hearts defender Christos Karipidis urged fans to get off the youngster's back. "We must stick together," the 25-year-old former PAOK defender said. "I don't like it when the supporters have a go at Calum.
"He is young and we must boost his confidence but the criticism will get him down. So I must send this message to the fans – forget everything, it is a new season and we have to stick together. It's not good for the team if the supporters have a problem with some players."
Karipidis admits Elliot, who has had a loan spell at Motherwell, could be forced out of Tynecastle for good if the situation is not resolved. He said: "Football is very hard. One game when you play well, the supporters are very happy, the next game when you don't play well, the supporters are not so happy.
"It is not possible for everyone to like you, some do and some don't. If he doesn't feel good then maybe it's better for him to leave for another club. But if he wants to stay here he has to forget everything and have a new start. I would prefer for Calum to stay, he is a good player and I believe in him."
Karipidis insists Laszlo has brought some welcome discipline to the club since taking over at Tynecastle following the exit of caretaker Stevie Frail.
The former Uganda manager watched his side lose 1-0 at Dunfermline on Wednesday, two days after their 1-1 draw with Glentoran in Belfast. But Karipidis believes Laszlo is putting the building blocks in place for a successful season.
"The new manager told us right away that he wants discipline in the team and that is very important," he said. "The discipline starts with something simple but very important, like time-keeping.
"For instance, if he says we start training at 9.45 then we must start then. And when he says we must do something on the pitch, we must do exactly what he says – if we don't do it then maybe we will have problems."
The full article contains 608 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
