Rod Petrie's statement in full

PLAYED 10, won 6, drawn 2, lost 2. These are the sorts of statistics which show why Hibernian wants Colin Calderwood as its manager.

This was the run of results between the close of the transfer window in January and the split. A selective quoting of statistics, maybe, but their relevance is the fact that these were the matches when the chips were down and the club needed results. Hibernian signed six players in the January transfer window for Colin Calderwood to provide the nucleus of the team that he wanted. And Colin Calderwood achieved the results we all wanted.

Was that a surprise, was he just lucky? After an initial season of consolidation, Colin's team won 22 out of 46 matches in season 2007-08 and promotion to the Championship. And at his previous club after an initial season of consolidation Colin's team won 20 out of 46 matches in Season 2004-05 narrowly missing out on promotion. But he followed that up with promotion in the next season on the back of 22 wins from 46 matches. Colin Calderwood is a talented manager.

We have now stripped away the unworkable legacy saddled upon the club by the previous incumbent. Colin has added to the core of the team he signed in January. Like every manager, he wants to continually adjust his squad - and the work goes on with seven weeks still to the end of the summer transfer window.

Hibernian wants Colin Calderwood as its manager. Hibernian has Colin Calderwood as its manager.

Steve McClaren is quoted today in the Nottingham Post as saying "We are trying to negotiate with Hibs but they do not want to lose him. We are trying to get Colin out of Hibs and it is very difficult."

Mr McClaren is in dangerous territory. Nottingham Forest knows that their only official approach to Hibernian - a phone call on Friday 24 June - was rejected. There is nothing to negotiate. They do not have permission to speak to the Hibernian manager. No club has permission to speak to the Hibernian manager.

But then, McClaren's words were probably spoken, not by him but by his agent. The same agent who represents Colin Calderwood. The mysterious 'third man' in the picture taken in a hotel lobby over three weeks ago.

Colin Calderwood continues to discharge his duties as Hibernian manager in a professional and thoughtful manner. Our period of consolidation is behind us and a busy schedule of pre-season fixtures continues this evening. We look forward to an exciting opening to the Clydesdale Bank SPL Season and beyond.

The current speculation is frustrating, but I know that every Hibernian supporter will be right behind the team and right behind the Hibernian manager. Once again, it's time for all of us to play our part.

Rod Petrie

Chairman