Teamtalk are reporting that GC will have talks this week about his future. They say:

Gary Caldwell will hold clear-the-air talks with Bobby Robson this week in an attempt to discover where his future lies.

The in-form young defender has enjoyed an outstanding spell in Scotland since snapping up a loan move to Hibernian, and has even won himself a place in Berti Vogts's full Scotland squad.

However, the defensive starlet remains contracted to United until the end of the season, and is eager to hammer out his future to avoid slipping back into obscurity in the Tynesiders' reserves.

Hibs boss Bobby Williamson would be delighted to hold onto the youngster, but Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is understood to be a keen admirer of the player and is eager to move in with a summer bid when he can snap up the player on the cheap.

And Caldwell has vowed to do what he can to ensure that he is a first-team regular somewhere next season. He said: "Being at Hibs has shown me what can be achieved if you are playing every week. I'm not sure what will happen. But Bobby Robson must speak to me and tell me what he wants for the future".

"If he wants to give me a chance then great - if not I will leave."

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

Answers

Tricky one for Bobby. I'm firmly believe that relative stability at the back has been important in our success this year. If we are to retain Caldwell, we would be enforcing change and relegating either O'Brien, Dabizas or Distin in the pecking order. Because the stakes are so high, would we be able togive him the opportunity to show he is better than at least one/probably two of the above in order to maintain a regular place?

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

Number One priority for the team is a top top class defender in the summer. Someone who will cost £15mil. Cary Caldwell is just a bairn, if he wants to play in Scotland so be it. If he stays here to fight for a place great and good luck to him.
If he becomes a first team regular like he is demanding next year, I for one would be bliddy amazed

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

This is the first season I can remember our backline only changing through form and not through injuries (mind you, I only remember 9 anyway). He's been desperately unlucky to come good during the only injury-free run our defense has enjoyed. He should stick around, there will be bound to be smoking shoes to step into next season.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

Much as I would like GC to stay, I'm afraid the approach indicated in this Teamtalk article would undoubtedly result in him leaving.

In this situation no Manager could really committ to playing him in the 1st team, and I certainly can't see BR doing this. It is possible that Bobby, of all people, can talk some sense into him, but that will inevitably involve him agreeing to stay and prove he is worthy of a 1st team spot - but with no promises. I don't think he will feel able to accept this and will now move on - greener grass and all that.

The real problem here imo was in allowing a highly-promising young player to go out on extended loan in the final few months of his contract. I feel this was a big mistake, but it possibly indicates that Bobby wasn't all that keen on him.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

Bobby has, so far, managed to keep both Given and Harper happy, and GC has far more chance of getting a game than the second choice keeper, so he may yet be able to convince GC to stay with us. Maybe?

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

Okay we have the option of 'buying' on a free a 20 year old lad who has been capped twice by his country. A lad that no one has had a bad word to say about, others have said is the future of his country, who looks to be a future Scotland captain and we're going to wave bye bye cos we have Dabizas in the way ???????

He cannot hold the club to ransom of course he can't but I doubt that is what he is doing any more than any other player.

Elsewhere I've seen the need for a leader, a centre half to take us forward. If we let Gary Caldwell go then I feel we'll be able to see that commanding centre half leader for many years to come and cry about it.

Bobby Robson isn't stupid, he MUST be able to see how good the lad is, he'll make it worth his while to stay.

Need to bear in mind that he's now had nearly 20 professional first team games, 10% of them for his country. He has all the potential to become as key to our defence as Aaron Hughes.

If we had a defence of 23 year old versions of Dixon, Admans, Keown and Winterburn I'd not be so worried, but we demonstably don't. The centre halves are okay, but we only like Distin cos he is so much better than Dabizas, and O'Brien is good but not an Admans or a Keown. I really belive Gary Caldwell has the mindset and the skills to become that good.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

If we get this precious point and then get thru the CL qualifier, we'll be playing at least 8 more competitive games next season. we could foul up badly through a combination of injuries and lack of squad depth. If any two of our current back four are out simultaneously - quite likely, it just takes one to get, say, a two- month injury and another to get a knock/suspension - we're going to look very stretched. Keep Caldwell, give him a handful of games early next season - eg CL second leg if we do well in the first, Worthy Cup, some Prem games...we should have four CB's and give them all experience of playing alongside each other so the defence isn't in disarray when one's out.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

Gary Caldwell would be daft not to sign up for United or Celtic. Hibs simply don't have the resources to compete with us if we made an offer. Next season Hibs are looking at not renewing any expiring contracts and running on £400k. And with the SPL in a bit of state it's not exactly the move an agent would recommend.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

What and it wouldn't be daft signing for Celtic when they haven't got a league to play in? or they'll be starting in the Nationwide...

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

At least they'd be able to pay his wages! :-) If the SPL storm continues then I'd rather be in a big ship than a rowing boat. I like that analogy :-)

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002

If we buy a classy defender I still see him before both Obrien and Dabz. There will be lots of games where he can play, the league cup, home games vs bad teams etc.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2002