Gary Caldwell to Stay.....but go back to Hibs?

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Today's Edinburgh Evening News suggests an interesting and innovative solution to our current problem with Gary Caldwell that could actually represent the best for all parties. They say:

The 20-year-old defender was expected to make his last appearance for Hibs in the final SPL match of the season, away to St Johnstone on Sunday. But the News understands that the Stirling-born star could stay on at Easter Road for another year if he can agree a new contract with the Geordie club.

Caldwell is out-of-contract at SJP this summer but doesn't want to return to the obscurity of reserve football having seen regular appearances in Hibs first-team earn him his first two Scotland caps.

However, Magpies boss Bobby Robson, who has regularly dispatched youth team coach Tommy Craig to check on Caldwell's impressive progress, is keen to keep him alongside his older brother, Steven, on Tyneside.

Robson is also aware that Caldwell's form for Hibs has caught the eye of clubs such as Celtic, Everton and Coventry City, interest which would put Caldwell well outwith Hibs' price range should he decide his future lies elsewhere. While Hibs, like other SPL clubs are facing a period of cost-cutting, Caldwell's value has risen thanks to his spell with the club, culminating in Berti Vogts playing him against France and Nigeria.

But to fulfil Caldwell's natural desire to keep playing first-team football Robson, it is understood, is willing to let him have the best of both worlds.

If Caldwell agrees a new contract with Newcastle, Robson would then loan him to Hibs for the whole of next season, having been delighted with the way the arrangement has worked over the past four months.

Caldwell said: "My main concern is first-team football and so wherever I go it will be to be part of a first-team squad and, hopefully, playing. I know I can't guarantee that I'll be playing every week, but it's just getting a fair chance to play in the first-team I want."

He has also repeatedly said he's enjoyed his time with Hibs and would love to stay. Hibs and Newcastle, though, will have to wait with Caldwell insisting he won't make any decision regarding his future until he returns from Scotland's Far East tour at the end of the month.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2002

Answers

MaccyB commented that on another thread. I think its great and think we should learn from the Italian clubs where they do like this all the time.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2002

Sounds like a great plan. Caldwell would be silly to turn the offer down. First team football with a team he likes to gain experience, and likely a fast track into a top PL team in the future.

-- Anonymous, May 10, 2002

I don't suppose Hibs are in Europe are they, because then it would make even more sense, but I think it's Celtic Rangers and Livingstone isn't it? If they do it in Italy, it does sound like a good way forward for the future. But we need to get him on a 5 year contract. By the way how do loans work as far as salaries go? Does the loan club pay his full salary, or would we pay the difference between what Hibs can afford and what Gary C would want from us? If Distin really is going, he should also realise why Bobby wants to keep him.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

This seems like a very imaginative way forwards. I'm sure that with due respect to wor resorves, Caldwell will get more invaluable experience with Hibs and enjoy his game a lot more. Sounds like a great idea for several of our reserve players. I wonder if anyone's ever thought of scrapping the resorves? :-)

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

It is an imaginative solution, but it may still not work. GC doesn't seem all that committed to the Toon, and will want a significant improvement in his contractual terms. This in turn might make it difficult for Hibs to pay his new wages, which would then require us to subsidise him playing for Hibs.

Despite the problems, I would like to see this work out because I have long felt that GC could be a special player.

With regard to Jonno's rather loaded question about the Resorves, this does indeed raise another serious question about the adequacy of the Pontin's League to develop our young players and prepare them for the PL. I still believe the concept of "PL feeder clubs" in the lower reaches of the Nationwide provides a practical answer to a number of the game's present financial and developmental problems.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002



Ya in Italy it works fine I think. The big clubs like Milan and Juventus often buy young talents and the lend them out to clubs like Piacenza or Bari. That way they get to play at the highest level but still belong to the club.

Like I said on the other thread I think clubs (not only English) should send their players abroad for a year or two. Let G Caldwell play in France or Holland for a season. I think most players would benefit from this. They have been thought how to play football in one school and some influence from other schools should make them much better players. I think for exampel Holland is a good exampel where they teach players to become really good players. Its a small country but look at all their superstars in the best clubs all over Europe.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

Excellent point Sudden.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002

Sudden and clarky, Inter have a feeder club in the Swiss 1st Div I think it is FC Basle.

2 years ago after the Oz grand final they bought the Glory 21 yo centre back Ivan Ergic, they then gave him to the Swiss club for 2 years, he starts pre season with them for next year. (Whichever Swiss club it is they won the league this year, we had a report in the local paper about it)

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2002


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