Bad news for Hibs fans is that their manager does not think gaining points is important.

Colin Calderwood consider that Hibs have made some progress this season, but knows that next season will provide a bigger challenge. Calderwood has won eight and lost 16 of his 30 games in charge and sees his side sitting in ninth place in the SPL with two games to go. A run of five wins after the close of the January transfer window during which Calderwood brought in of six new players meant that Hibs were safe from the threat of relegation, but since then Calderwood's side have only one win in eight games. Speaking ahead of tonight's game at Inverness, Calderwood said: "We know what we've got building here, but we've got to produce it. It will be difficult for us next year. I envisage a tough season in terms of getting to the level where everyone expects us to be, but I'm quite excited that we might get there."

The squad inherited by Calderwood will be rather different to that which will be employed next season. A number of players whose contracts are up at the end of the season have been told they are free to find new clubs. However, Calderwood is waiting until after Saturday's final game to discuss the futures of Derek Riordan and Liam Miller, among others. But, irrespective of the make-up of his squad next term, top six of the SPL is the minimum target for Calderwood. He added: "That's got to be the least of our ambitions. We'll strive for that. We're definitely capable of getting in there, but it's not a given."

After missing out on the top six, Calderwood had been determined to finish on a high in the five post-split games. It has not happened, but the former Northampton and Nottingham Forest manager insists the period has been beneficial. He said: "We're not getting results and points we would want. Is that the most important thing to me? No. It's the development of the club and an opportunity. We can suffer reverses and they don't mean too much at the minute. At the end it's a record that will always be labelled with me and I'll have to accept that. In terms of going forward I think what we'll gain out of it will be better than the points tally and my individual record - that's inconsequential at this moment."

Calderwood praised Inverness for wrapping up seventh place, with Caley Thistle holding an unassailable lead with two games remaining. He said: "They've had a terrific season. The last couple of results have topped off what has been a fine season for them. It was based on their away form earlier in the season but it's always difficult to go there and not many teams come back with three points. We'll need to try and do something that hasn't happened too often before."