INVERNESS Caledonian Thistle are confident of brokering a loan deal with Hearts for unsettled striker Calum Elliot having received a positive response from officials at Tynecastle.
Graeme Bennett, director of football at Inverness, has exercised patience since first declaring an interest in the player at the end of last season. Discussions on Elliot's future went on hold whilst Hearts recruited a new manager, and with Csaba Las
zlo now in office Bennett has re-opened negotiations.
"We are quite well down the road with regards to Calum Elliot," said Bennett. "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 our squad travel out to Denmark on Sunday."
Elliot spoke to the Evening News earlier this week, stressing his discomfort at being a target for abuse from his own support. His first-team starts have been irregular since he was loaned to Motherwell two years ago. Four goals in 27 appearances last season did little to endear him to Hearts fans. His current contract does not expire until 2011 and Inverness believe a temporary move north could help rejuvenate the Scotland Under-21 internationalist.
"If he did come to the Highlands then I think it would be good for him," said Bennett. "Hearts have been under a fair bit of pressure over the past few seasons, but I think if he got himself out of that situation then we would see the best of him. You don't play for a club the size of Hearts if you've not got something and he would certainly fit the bill in terms of the target man we're looking for."
Meanwhile, former Hearts defender Takis Fyssas has been appointed technical director with the Greek Football Association. Having retired from club football with Panathinaikos, the Euro 2004 winner will work with his country's senior and under-21 squads in a new overseeing role.
Former Porto manager Jose Couceiro has been appointed manager of FC Kaunas, Vladimir Romanov's Lithuanian club. Couceiro will take charge for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Andorrans Santa Coloma on Tuesday with a tie against Rangers in wait.
The full article contains 399 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
