Derby tussle shows Colin Calderwood steering Hibs in right direction

Published on Monday 4 April 2011 19:13

IT may come as little consolation to those fans who saw their team fail to beat ten men on Sunday, but at least the Hibernian side who drew 2-2 with Hearts was a big improvement on the indifferent outfit which faltered through the early part of the season.

Manager Colin Calderwood has continued to insist that reconstruction of his team is a long-term project, but he has got off to a good start by making a string of useful signings. The success of stage two, to be conducted between now and the beginning of next season, will depend on how he deals with those players who are out of contract.

Hibs were guilty of glaring misses at one end, and a vital lapse of concentration at the other, against Hearts, who had captain Marius Zaliukas sent off in the first half. As a result, their run without a win in the derby now extends to seven games. Yet although there are obvious shortcomings which remain to be rectified, there was equally tangible evidence of progress.

In the first derby of the season at Easter Road, Hibs lost 2-0 and looked a beaten side from the moment David Templeton scored the opening goal. On New Year's Day at Tynecastle they competed well physically and put in a defiant performance, yet in the end still lost to a Kevin Kyle goal.

On Sunday, there was a lot more than that defiance. Particularly throughout the bulk of the second half, from the moment it began with the score at 1-1 to Ricardo Vaz Te's goal 11 minutes from time, Hibs played with patience and intelligence. They had been told by the manager to spread the ball wide, to stretch the Hearts defence, and take their time probing for an opening.

Vaz Te, a half-time substitute for Martin Scott, stood out because of his creative approach work. And although his first touch on a through ball from fellow-sub David Wotherspoon was far too heavy, he made amends with a calm finish past Jamie MacDonald to give his team the lead.

If Derek Riordan had shown the same accuracy with even one of the several chances which came his way, or if Victor Palsson had kept his shot down instead of shooting over the bar, Hibs would have won. Instead, just four minutes after Vaz Te's goal, Hearts were back level after Stephen Elliott volleyed home following a free kick chipped into the box then headed across goal from the back post by Andy Webster.

But at least those chances were created. And at least the defence, in which Paul Hanlon plays an increasingly impressive part at centre-half, was a lot less shakier than it had been for much of the season.

Palsson, the holding midfielder signed from Liverpool, was below his best, but the occasional inconsistent afternoon is only to be expected in someone who is still just 19. And in any case he is already showing a maturity beyond his years.

Having agreed an 18-month contract in January, the Icelander will be a key element of Calderwood's planning for next season. Two of his fellow-midfielders, Scott and Matt Thornhill, will also be around, having also signed during the transfer window at the start of the year, for three-and-a-half and two-and-a-half years respectively.

Hanlon, full-back Callum Booth and goalkeeper Mark Brown will be other regulars in the squad, but important decisions remain to be taken about other positions. Riordan, for example, is out of contract: there is supposedly an agreement between player and club to sit down and talk at the end of the season, but it remains a strong possibility that the striker will leave Easter Road for the second time in his career.

Liam Miller is another whose time with Hibs may be at an end. The Irishman's ability is not in question, but he by no means always makes it tell. Having already told John Rankin he can leave the club and offloaded Kevin McBride to Raith, Calderwood may be minded to hold on to Miller, but that decision could depend on which younger midfielders become available.

A similar question needs to be answered in the case of Vaz Te. The Portuguese player is technically gifted, all right, but he had a wretched run of injuries before joining Hibs as a free agent until the end of the season. Will the club get enough out of him to merit a longer-term deal?

Right-back Richie Towell's loan from Celtic runs out at the end of the season, as does striker Darryl Duffy's loan from Bristol Rovers. Towell has been a regular under Calderwood and may be offered a permanent deal, but Duffy has been on the fringes.

Having brought in six players during the January window and quickly integrated them into the team, Calderwood has shown an eye for a shrewd purchase. If given the resources to move into the transfer market again, he will back his own judgment, and could sign a similar number.

That won't guarantee victory in the first Edinburgh derby of next season, but if the manager unearths more players such as Palsson and Thornhill, it will at least continue the improvement he has brought about in his six months at the helm to date.