Calwell to call time on United May 7 2002

By The Evening Chronicle Gary Caldwell is ready to leave Newcastle United in his bid for first-team football.

The defender, out of contract in the summer, has played twice for Scotland but has yet to make his United debut, spending time out on loan at Hibernian and Darlington.

He went from Newcastle Reserves to playing for Scotland at the Stade de France in the space of a few months following his move to Hibs.

The Easter Road club would love to sign Caldwell, but they cannot afford the compensation the Magpies would be due.

Caldwell has also interested Celtic, with Bhoys manager Martin O'Neill making one last check on the Stirling-born player in Hibs' last game of the season.

Everton's new manager David Moyes has also tracked the 20-year-old, while Caldwell has been offered a deal to stay at St James's Park.

The Scot is currently having talks with United over his future but with manager Bobby Robson looking to buy an experienced central defender he may not be any nearer to first-team football this season.

And Caldwell may instead choose to go to a First Division side, with a number of clubs monitoring his situation in the Nationwide League.

Meanwhile, Gary's elder brother Steve, also on Newcastle's books, is another player keen for first-team football.

He spent time on loan this season at Bradford City and Blackpool and has not played for the Magpies since their Intertoto Cup tie against 1860 Munich.

And Steve, also a full Scotland international, may also decide his future is away from St James's.

It could be the first of many if the youngsters we have don't start getting a chance to show themselves.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

Answers

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-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

I could cry ....

one we can't make a sell to a 19 year old lad who has been capped twice that he'll do well with us, and will be playing at the top level for years to come, as per Aaron

two, his dad isn't advising him so

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

Some positive news from the Scottish papers this morning. The report says Gary Caldwell could be back at Hibs next season after all. Bobby Robson thinks Caldwell is great, does not want to lose him, but cannot guarantee him the first team place he needs to stay in the Scotland squad. So, Newcastle are going to get him to sign a new contract and then loan him out for the full season to Hibs.

Ahhh creative thinking, a wonderful thing.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2002

Ya, I think we could learn something from the Italian clubs. They seem to do like this very often. They sign young promising players and then lend them out to other clubs where they get to play in the first team.

I also think English clubs should start sending their youngsters to other countries like Holland, France or Spain. That would make them much better footballers if the get influence from diffrent schools so to speak.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2002