FORMER Hearts striker Calum Elliot has moved into management at the age of just 28 after injury forced him to retire from playing.

Elliot, a Scotland under-21 internationalist as a teenager, has been appointed the new boss of Edinburgh United in the Junior ranks.

He replaces Jack Lynch in charge of United, despite not possessing any coaching badges or experience in the dugout.

Nevertheless, Elliot will be thrown in at the deep end when he takes charge of the East Region Premier League clash against Kennoway Star Hearts on Saturday.

Edinburgh-born Elliot has been battling persistent knee problems for several seasons and recently underwent his fourth different operation to solve the issue.

However, having been warned of the serious dangers of repercussions later in life – including not being able to walk unaided – the former Motherwell, Livingston, Dundee, Zalgiris Vilnius and Alloa man decided to hang up his boots.