Livingston and Raith in battle over Calum Elliot

Calum Elliot is at the centre of a bizarre tug of war after signing for both Livingston and Raith Rovers within a matter of weeks.

Elliot – who was still registered with Alloa at the time – inked a one-year pre-contract with the Lions on 29 April. But First Division rivals Rovers announced on their website on Tuesday evening that the striker had agreed a similar deal at Stark’s Park.

As Raith chairman Turnbull Hutton yesterday claimed he was their player, the West Lothian outfit were frantically seeking talks with their Kirkcaldy counterparts to resolve the issue.

Despite Elliot turning to Raith, it is understood the Livingston management team of Richie Burke and Mark Burchill still want the former Hearts player in their squad for next term.

Livingston chief executive Ged Nixon said: “I have a contract signed by Calum Elliot that has been sitting on my desk since 29 April. It cannot be registered with the SFL and SFA until the transfer window opens on Monday.

“Raith have acted in good faith but have been put in a bit of an embarrassing situation. The player told them he did not sign a contract but that he ‘signed a blank piece of paper’.

“The player has signed both the player registration and a bona fide contract with us for the season 2013/2014. I would expect Raith to act honourable and for them to say: ‘You’ve signed a contract with Livingston, you have to go back down the road’.

“I think he has acted foolishly and has been silly but he is not the first football player to do that.”

Raith chairman Turnbull Hutton said yesterday: “As far as we are concerned, he is a Raith Rovers player.”

Elliot’s actions have exposed the vulnerability of pre-contract deals, with both clubs unable to officially register the player until Monday, when the Scottish Football League transfer window opens.

Any contract must be registered within 14 days but Livingston, who claim to have signed Elliot on 29 April, were unable to do this since the transfer window was closed.

As it stands, both clubs could feasibly attempt to register Elliot as their player on Monday. If they cannot reach a compromise, the Scottish Football Association would have to intervene.