Calderwood Prefers The Highs To The Lows

Last updated : 12 November 2010 By Ed_ScottishFitba

Colin Calderwood in standIt has been quite a week for Hibs manager Colin Calderwood. Sunday saw him lose his first Edinburgh Derby, on the back of loses to Aberdeen and Dundee United, and then Wednesday he was lifted by watching his side win 3-0 over Rangers at Ibrox. He hopes to still be on a high on Saturday evening after upsetting mentor Craig Brown as Motherwell leave Easter Road. The former central defender made his Scotland debut under Brown before playing in the 1996 European Championships and 1998 World Cup. They have not been in touch much since Calderwood took on his new role at Hibs last month, but his looking forward to catching up on Saturday. Calderwood said: "It's the one time I can't say I don't know the opposition manager - I'll have to answer that question this week. I'll give him a cup of tea, hopefully tap him on the head and send him home unhappy."

Calderwood was understandably in good spirits following the win at Ibrox. Liam Miller and John Rankin, after six and 19 minutes respectively, were on target in the first half at Rangers and Francis Dickoh's 76th-minute strike made sure there was no way back for rangers. Calderwood said: "The first goal is a big influence on any game and last night it helped us. If it had been against us, in our situation, it would have been a real test for us. Against the champions, at a ground where everyone expected us to get beaten, that suddenly gave us the belief that we might get something out of the game. I wasn't surprised, because I've seen it in flashes. We produced it for a longer period, we held our nerve, we rode our luck and the team defended well." The meeting will be a different prospect with Hibs fans expectations heightened by the Ibrox result. Motherwell are also in good shape after their 4-0 demolition of St Johnstone in midweek. Calderwood is determined to see Motherwell off with another good performance. he went on: "It could round off a half decent week that started poorly, got better and we don't want that to be the ultimate that we achieve this week. We want to go and get a home victory and another polished performance."

The man in the middle on Saturday will be Dougie McDonald as he returns to top-flight action almost a month after the controversial clash between Dundee United and Celtic, after which he was given a warning by the SFA. Calderwood watched McDonald's performance in Ross County's win at Falkirk last Saturday. He said: "I was at his game last week, he administered it really, really well and was correct in just about all his decisions. Hopefully there won't be anything too controversial, certainly not one that the game hinges on. I guarantee he'll make what I think is a mistake and it will go to Motherwell - that's the nature of it - but for his sake and Scottish football's sake I hope we get through with a good game of football."

Calderwood was at the game to speak to Derek Adams, who has now agreed to take on the assistant manager's post at Easter Road.  Calderwood said: "I didn't think we'd be able to tempt him away from Ross County, so I'm delighted Derek's agreed to join us. I think he's a terrific asset, an addition to the coaching staff and will be a huge help to myself, adding to what Alistair Stevenson, Gareth Evans and Scott Thomson already have here."

Calderwood took the time to apologise for any offence he may have caused Motherwell over comments made in relation to the death of Phil O'Donnell almost three years ago, while he was in charge of Nottingham Forest. Forest opted not to have a minute's silence following O'Donnell's death in December 2007, with Calderwood making what many perceived to be disparaging remarks about the tragedy. Calderwood said: "It's something that has obviously caused offence and for that I can only apologise. I played with Phil and I apologise, especially to his family. They are the ones we should always show respect to. If it caused them any distress that would worry me greatly and I apologise to them now."

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