Hibs will rise under Caldo, insists Kris

Hearts striker Stephen Elliott's late equaliser in the derby has left Calderwood's side trailing sixth-placed Motherwell by seven points with only three matches left before the split, starting with a daunting trip to play title-chasing Celtic tomorrow night.

But as he prepared to face his old Nottingham Forest boss for the first time in a Hoops jersey, midfield ace Commons insisted Calderwood has Hibs heading in the right direction with a run of seven matches undefeated.

The 27-year-old said: "I know they (Hibs] were near the foot of the table for quite some time. My old manager is there now, Colin Calderwood, and he seems to have got them a little more steady.

"They are picking up some half-decent results and knowing Colin like I do, he will have them very organised.

"I really enjoyed playing under him. He is a good manager and a very nice guy. He's one of the nicer managers and is a great coach to work with.

"The first year he was at Forest we were beaten in the play-offs, and the following year we got promoted in second place. He got Forest and Northampton promoted so I think his record speaks for himself.

"And he will have taken the Hibs job to challenge in the SPL."

The old pals act, however, will be put aside for 90 minutes at Celtic Park as Hibs arrive knowing only a win will be enough to keep their faint hopes of a top six finish alive but also well aware that even three points might not be enough depending on the outcome of Motherwell's clash against Dundee United at Fir Park.

But for Neil Lennon's players the reward for victory is obvious with Rangers' defeat to Dundee United at the weekend having thrown the title race back in Celtic's favour although Lennon's side face a hectic schedule of four games in eight days following the postponement of their match in Inverness. Commons, who can boast a record of three goals in three games at Celtic Park, told his club's official website: "It's in our hands now. I think Dundee United beating Rangers has given us a massive boost and an advantage which we didn't have previously. It's vital we win nearly all of these six or seven games in three weeks."

Meanwhile, Hibs striker Kurtis Byrne has been farmed out to Alloa Athletic hoping he can not only save the Second Division side from relegation but earn himself a new Easter Road contract.

The 20-year-old's deal is up at the end of the season but he said: "There are a lot of strikers at Hibs so it's hard for me. I've just got to score and impress."