Boot of Jefferies has Elliot on his toes and shining for Hearts

A consistent run without injuries should not be forgotten when dissecting the reasons for Elliot's new-found confidence. Nonetheless, the player himself admits he is reaping the benefits of having Jefferies, his assistant Billy Brown and coach Gary Locke constantly on his case.

He goes as far to say he is currently enjoying the most productive period of his Hearts career. "In 2006 I played a lot of games but this is probably the best I've done in terms of my performances. I just want to keep it going and keep my place in the side," he explained.

"The management has put a lot of faith in me and I think you respond to that. You see somebody has trust in you and, as well as injuries clearing up, the manager, Billy and Lockie have been great with me. I can only thank them for sticking by me and helping me through my injuries.

"They give me a hard time, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. You just try to respond to it and do as well as you can.

"When you're playing and you make a mistake they are always on at you, rather than not saying anything. That keeps you on your toes and wanting to make sure you do better.

"I probably never did myself justice before but, like other players, it takes a certain type of manager to bring the best out in you. Hopefully the manager can do that with me.

"I've never lost confidence in my own ability. Maybe scoring in the first game of the season (against St Johnstone] has helped me a lot. I just want to do well through to the end of the season."

With four goals in eight appearances this season, Elliot is a more potent weapon for Hearts than ever before. Those statistics, allied to consistent performances, have succeeded in altering public perception of a player who was once Tynecastle's favourite boo-boy.

He is even keeping Stephen Elliott, a Republic of Ireland internationalist, out of the starting XI. Today's team for the SPL encounter with St Mirren at Tynecastle was expected to see Elliot partnering Kevin Kyle with namesake Stephen on the substitutes' bench. "I've done fine and I've scored a few goals," continued Calum. "I maybe should have scored last Saturday but I feel I've done well and I've helped the team. I need to keep it going and keep my place in the team.

"There is competition for places and it keeps everybody on their toes, not just me. Gary (Glen] and all the other strikers benefit too."We're trying to do well in training to make sure we are involved at the weekends."

Elliot's current contract does not expire until 2012, for he was one of a clutch of young proteges handed five-year deals by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov back in 2007. Since then his fortunes have been varied and included a loan spell at Livingston in which he struck 11 goals in 13 appearances.

The player feels that period proved his ability to produce on a regular basis. The challenge was showcasing his talents with Hearts and forcing his way into the first team. As long as I've had a contract I've always been confident I could rectify my form. I'm trying to do that now," he added.

"I need to be working hard in training, learning from the coaches, and performing in games. I'm just enjoying playing football at the moment and long may it continue.

"Kevin Kyle helps me because he'll get his share of the goals. He's good to play alongside because he's the physical presence up front and teams don't enjoy playing against him. He creates space for other people.

"Before he came, I was doing things I maybe wouldn't naturally want to do.

"With Kevin up front, he is the classic old-fashioned striker and he'll get more attention from defenders than I will.

"That creates space for me, Suso and whoever else is playing."