Hibs: Calderwood must find a penalty taker

The Edinburgh club have failed to score with six of their last 11 spot-kick awards, including the two won this season, which has helped drive Hibs into joint bottom place with St Mirren in the SPL table.

Derek Riordan's miss against Inverness Caledonian Thistle when Hibs were leading 1-0 earlier in the season proved costly as Adam Rooney equalised from the spot while Rankin conceded his failure possibly cost his side victory over Dundee United, given he admitted he believed there would only be one goal in the game at Tannadice.

He was proved correct as David Goodwillie netted an 87th minute winner, leaving Hibs separated from basement side St Mirren by a goal difference of two. Taken together, the misses from Riordan and Rankin have arguably cost Hibs five precious points which would have seen them in a much more respectable sixth place today.

Rankin insisted he wouldn't shy away from stepping forward should Hibs be awarded a spot-kick in Sunday's derby against Hearts but admitted: "If anyone else puts their hand up they are more than welcome to take it. But I will volunteer, I won't shirk away and if no-one else wants to take it I will take it, no bother."

Although Rankin's last goal for Hibs came almost 18 months ago, he had converted three penalties in succession as Caley beat Celtic, Hearts and Gretna before his move to Easter Road and, he insisted, he felt supremely confident when Riordan, who had missed his last three from 12 yards, stepped aside. He said: "Derek said if anyone wanted it they could have it so I stepped forward."

However, Rankin admitted he had committed the cardinal sin of changing his mind as he faced United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis. He said: "I was certain I was going to score. I stepped back and knew exactly what I was doing then I looked up, saw the goalkeeper and changed my mind. Why I did that I do not know. You say 'never change your mind' but for whatever reason I did. There was not a lot in the game, I thought a goal either way and I blew our best chance."

Rankin vowed, though, that he won't let his miss and the immediate consequences prey on his mind.

He said: "Football is all about character and anyone who knows me will say I am not a shy boy.

"I will stand up to what happens, I will face the music. It's about how you react and I need to bounce back."