Calum Elliot sorry to Livingston for U-turn

Calum Elliot has apologised to Livingston for reneging on a deal to join them to sign for First Division rivals Raith Rovers.

Livingston were furious when Rovers announced Elliot, 26, had penned a one-year deal at Stark’s Park after agreeing a return to West Lothian on a pre-contract in April. Both clubs threatened to register the player but Livingston reluctantly stepped aside.

Elliot said: “I was delighted to sign for Livingston because playing for them previously was one of the few times when I enjoyed my football.”

The ex-Hearts striker, who scored 11 goals in 14 games in a loan spell with the Lions in 2008, added: “I was really looking forward to it, but it would have been impossible for me to go back there and give it my all. I can’t really go into the reasons why. I know it doesn’t look good on myself. I appreciated [Livingston’s] interest and there are a lot of good people at the club. For that reason, I’d like to apologise.”

But Elliot, who helped Alloa to promotion to the First Division last term, says he is not dreading playing against the Lions next season. “Possibly, I will get a hostile reception but it’s something I’ll look forward to more than anything. It was a club I enjoyed playing for. At the same time, I’m looking forward to getting started at Raith.”