Hibs boss in warning to slow starters

COLIN CALDERWOOD will urge his players to give themselves a wake-up call before tomorrow's clash with Aberdeen after Celtic caught them napping with two goals in 19 minutes.

The Hibs boss conceded those strikes from Anthony Stokes and Gary Hooper meant the match at Celtic Park was over almost before it had begun, a third from Hooper allowing Neil Lennon's team to coast to victory despite Liam Miller's second-half penalty.

Calderwood had seen his side make a similarly slow start in the derby with Hearts just three days earlier, the Tynecastle outfit passing up a string of chances before Ryan Stevenson's goal sparked Hibs into action.

Calderwood is anxious not to see a repeat at Pittodrie against a Dons side ravaged by injury with Zander Diamond, Rory McArdle and Josh Magennis adding to the casualty list after a midweek defeat by St Mirren.

Aberdeen boss Craig Brown has said he'll be wrapping his squad in cotton wool with the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic next weekend his priority. Calderwood, however, has warned his players he won't entertain any lessening in their efforts now that a top-six place is beyond them.

He knows, though, that his players must get out the blocks much quicker than they have in their past two games, particularly against an Aberdeen side which, having conceded the first goal in 17 matches this season has gone on to lose 16 of them and draw the other.

Calderwood said: "The game was away from us early against Celtic and we don't want to start this game only to find ourselves behind. The problems are something good players can keep out - that's why I'm disappointed because I feel my team has some very good players."