Elliot's back and ready to blast Livi to the top

Oct 2 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

CALLUM Elliot has emerged from soccer Siberia to help fire Livingston to the top of the First Division.

The Scotland under 21 striker has revelled in West Lothian after being handed the chance of regular football by Lions boss Roberto Landi.

Elliot had not played first team football since April after falling out of the first team picture in the capital but he has enjoyed a new lease of life at Almondvale where he has scored five goals in just three league games.

And he admits he is loving life leading the line for the Lions as they top the table.

He said: “My last game was in April so I’m delighted with how I’ve started here and how quickly the goals have come.

“But I hope there are plenty more to come for Livi.

“The most important thing is that the team is doing well but if I’m scoring goals then that is a bonus as well.”

After being frozen out of the first team picture at Tynecastle, Elliot was linked with moves across the border until Livingston expressed an interest in bringing the playerdown the M8 to Almondvale.

“I went down to MK Dons but it wasn’t something I really wanted to do. Then Livingston came in for me and it was a move which appealed to me.

“It is obviously very local for me but I also knew a few of the players and the manager wanted me to join the squad.

“I spoke to Liam Fox before making the move and he told to go for it as it would be a good career move for me.

“He told me it was a great club with a good team, manager and atmosphere.”

After eight games the Lions are perched on top of the table but face a big test of their title credential this weekend when they travel to Dumfries to second placed Queen of the South.

The Doonhamers reached the Scottish Cup final last season and were in the UEFA Cup this season so Elliot expects a tough game down at Palmerston.

“The First Division is a difficult league but I’ve always had faith in the potential of the team,” he insisted.

“We are on top on merit and although it is great to be there it will be hard to stay there but we’ll do our best to hang on and fight for promotion.

“Saturday is going to be a massive game. It will be very tough especially going down there where Queens have a good record.

“We are all looking forward to the test though and we will have to work hard to get something from the game.”

Livingston boss Roberto Landi has admitted he would like to keep Elliot beyond the end of the current loan deal which expires in January and this is also something which the striker would consider.

He added: “If I’m playing well and the manager wants to keep me beyond January then I’d be delighted to stay on and try and help the team get promoted to the SPL.

“There are a lot of good players at Livingston and everyone in the squad is capable of stepping up to play in the SPL. “Hopefully we can do that together as a team next season.

“I think Livi can win the title but it is still early days.

“We are doing well at the moment but we will obviously go through a spell when we aren’t and there are many ups and downs in a season.

“All we can do is try and pick up as many points as we can.”