Hibs: Colin Calderwood hopes team handle 'awkward' ties

Colin CALDERWOOD has admitted Hibs face two "awkward" away matches against Hamilton and Kilmarnock as they seek to haul themselves towards a top-six place in the SPL.

• Caldo: Matches will be 'awkward'

Weather permitting, Calderwood will take his players to New Douglas Park on Saturday, a venue which holds dismal memories for Easter Road fans following two defeats there by Billy Reid's side last season.

And that will be followed a week later by a trip to Kilmarnock's Rugby Park where ex-Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen will be hoping to gain revenge for a 2-1 defeat in Edinburgh the week before Calderwood was unveiled as Easter Road manager by conjuring up a repeat of the Ayrshire club's Co-operative Insurance Cup triumph over the Edinburgh outfit.

Calderwood had hoped to capitalise on successive home matches against St Johnstone and St Mirren but a dire goal-less draw against the Perth side, followed by the cancellation of the Buddies' visit, means the upcoming away matches hold even greater significance.

He said: "We are now going into two awkward away games before Christmas which makes it slightly harder for us but obviously we are going to have to get on with it."

Hibs are only five points ahead of Hamilton, bottom of the SPL on goal difference from managerless Aberdeen, and, with five of their next six matches at home, Accies aim to enlist an army of supporters to clear the area around New Douglas Park in a bid to ensure their clash with Hibs gets the go-ahead.

Seven inches of snow was today blanketing Hamilton who are seeking to have a pool of around 40 fans on call to help clear car parks, turnstile areas and so on if necessary on Saturday morning.