Elliott relishing Kyle link-up

12 August 2010 16:31
ew Hearts striker Stephen Elliott insists he can form a fearsome attacking partnership with Kevin Kyle this season.[LNB] The Republic of Ireland cap was officially unveiled as manager Jim Jefferies' latest capture on Thursday after signing a two-year deal following his release by npower Championship side Preston North End.[LNB]Despite a lack of match fitness, Elliott could make his debut in Saturday's SPL curtain raiser against St Johnstone, with the Tynecastle club struggling up front due to injuries and suspension.[LNB]Elliott played alongside fellow summer recruit Kyle at Sunderland and reckons they can form a fruitful relationship in attack for Hearts.[LNB]He said: "I think we will score goals. Kevin has done well since coming up to Scotland and his game suits me.[LNB]"If we get the chance to play together, hopefully we can do well."[LNB]Elliott was let go by Preston after scoring just one goal in nine appearances last season, ending the campaign on loan at Norwich.[LNB]However, the striker, who began his career at Manchester City before moving onto Sunderland, Wolves and Preston, is keen to look to the future at Tynecastle.[LNB]He added: "I didn't play as much as I would have liked over the past couple of seasons but this is a new challenge for me and I am really looking forward to it.[LNB]"Hearts is a big club and I got a lot of good feedback from people after speaking to them before coming up.[LNB]"I met a few of the lads on Monday and there are a few I have still to meet.[LNB]"Getting off to a good start this season is important and hopefully we can do that by getting a run of results and getting the confidence up."[LNB]Hearts manager Jim Jefferies is delighted to have bolstered his attacking options, particularly with a player that was willing to take a substantial pay-cut to join the club.[LNB]He said: "We paid no transfer fee for this boy. He was on far too much money for what we could afford and he has taken a major reduction.[LNB]"Okay, he maybe got settled up at Preston but I still know what he has lost out on.[LNB]"It tells you a lot about him, how badly he wants to play.[LNB]"Some people sit there and take the money, he could have sat there and got a lot more but he has show a willingness to give that up to come up here to fit into our structure.[LNB]"That shows great commitment on his part."

Source: Team_Talk