Calum Elliot 'delighted' with flying start from Tranent Juniors

Calum Elliot’s men have been in flawless form, with five wins from five games to sit top of the East of Scotland Football League Premier Division alongside Penicuik Athletic.

The manager (pictured), in his second season with the club, was “delighted” with the club’s start to the new campaign but stressed there was a long way to go.

He said: “There’s been quite a shift in terms of movement in the squad.

“That is why we felt it was important to try to be adaptable and approach pre-season right.

“That is why we did have quite a few games and we tried a few things out.

“We wanted to have the best opportunity to hit the ground running but we are only five games in.

“There is nothing handed out five games in.

“We need to keep working hard in training and keep pushing the boys to become better players.”

Tranent, shown here in pre-season against Darvel, have been in impressive form this season

Elliot, who joined the club having previously managed Tynecastle, stressed he wanted “a consistency” and “a ruthlessness” from his team.

Already, the Belters have scored 15 goals and conceded just four – the best in the division – in the opening five league games.

Summer signings Matthew Knox, Jamie Docherty and Sean Wringe have all hit the ground running, with 13 goals in all competitions between them.

Many have picked out Tranent as favourites to win the title and push on to the Lowland League next year.

They are joined at the top of the table by Penicuik, while Musselburgh Athletic, Camelon Juniors and Linlithgow Rose also boast unbeaten records in the early weeks of the season.

Elliot, who saw his side knock out two Lowland League teams during a memorable Scottish Cup debut last year, was quick to distance himself from the idea that the Belters were going to run away with the league title.

He said: “I would not say we are favourites. There are probably three or four other teams that are ahead of us in terms of where they are.”

Tranent Juniors defeated East Stirlingshire in pre-season and will be looking to join them in the Lowland League next season

Tranent take on a Sauchie side who are yet to win a game this season tomorrow (Saturday).

Despite that, Elliot was keen to stress he was not expecting a straight-forward contest at Foresters Park.

He said: “They are a good team and caused us problems last season.

“If the boys’ mentality is not right then we will not get the result that we want.

“But, at the same time, if we focus and prepare in the right way then we are going to go and try to win the game the same as they are.

“They have got good players all over the pitch and this league is so competitive.

“There are no games that are a given and this would certainly not be one of them.

“This is a tough, tough match, they all are, and they are a good side with good players.

“We have to make sure we are ready come kick-off time to make sure we get the three points again.”