Hibs: Colin Calderwood 'disappointed' after Accies game called off

HIBS boss Colin Calderwood insisted today that his players would have been ready for the clash with Hamilton had it been given the green light - despite his side's training schedule being hit by the weather.

• Colin Calderwood had to rearrange the training schedule for his players but insists, despite all the disruption, they were well prepared

For the second week in a row, the Easter Road side had their SPL match called off because of the snow and ice which continues to cause problems across the whole of the country.

There had been a possibility of the game, which was due to be played at New Douglas Park, being switched to Hibs' ground instead but that idea failed because the match was called off so late in the week.

Calderwood is keen to arrange a bounce match for next week in a bid to keep his players' match fitness up and admitted that he and his players can't wait to get back to playing some competitive football again.

He said: "One week without a game doesn't really harm you but two weeks becomes a little bit more of a problem. The fact we haven't been able to train in the normal fashion isn't ideal - you'd always prefer to have that preparation before you had the game.

"It's disappointing. We did enough work the week before and enough this week in terms of fitness. We trained harder on Friday and we'll train on Saturday but what you miss out on is that match action.

"We'll do that in some sort of form, whether it's between ourselves or against someone else. There was a chance of the games being switched but a decision would had to have been made fairly early and it sort of bypassed that time and it wasn't feasible for us to function the game."

The majority of the Hibs players made it into training towards the end of this week, although Monday and Tuesday became enforced days off for the bulk of the squad because of horrendous driving conditions.

"More or less everyone made it in," added Calderwood. "One or two days earlier in the week in the blizzard conditions were a problem for some. We had extra days off at the beginning last week and worked through to the Saturday. This week we had a day off anyway at the beginning of the week. When they came in on Tuesday one or two were missing but then instead of having the Wednesday off we worked right the way through.

"I can't remember ever having two games postponed in a row as a player myself. It's the same for the players as it is as a coach - you always want the proper preparation."

The Hibs manager was delighted to see his former international boss, Craig Brown, named the new Aberdeen manager and believes that he could make an immediate impact at Pittodrie. He believes that the veteran of the game has a number of qualities and continued: "If you didn't know Craig was 70 he doesn't look it so image comes into it as does the experience.

The Hibs manager was delighted to see his former international boss, Craig Brown, named the new Aberdeen manager and believes that he could make an immediate impact at Pittodrie. He believes that the veteran of the game has a number of qualities and continued: "If you didn't know Craig was 70 he doesn't look it so image comes into it as does the experience. Aberdeen know they're getting a real, solid manager and coach in place and obviously a management team that has been successful and made Motherwell change fairly quickly.

"Through all his periods in and out of football I think he's always progressed and educated himself. His knowledge in terms of players all over the world is second to none.

"He was my only international manager so he had a big influence on my career. I can understand why they've gone down that road. It's good to have that mix of experienced managers and people who have had that experience outside Scotland – in European football, international football and the English leagues." Aberdeen know they're getting a real, solid manager and coach in place and obviously a management team that has been successful and made Motherwell change fairly quickly.

"Through all his periods in and out of football I think he's always progressed and educated himself. His knowledge in terms of players all over the world is second to none.

"He was my only international manager so he had a big influence on my career. I can understand why they've gone down that road. It's good to have that mix of experienced managers and people who have had that experience outside Scotland - in European football, international football and the English leagues."

"I can't remember ever having two games postponed in a row as a player"

colin calderwood