Calderwood flies Magpies nest for Hibs post

Colin Calderwood was appointed the new manager of Scottish Premier League side Hibernian on Monday on a three year contract ending his period as assistant coach at English Premier League outfit Newcastle United.

The 45-year-old has previous managerial experience at Northampton Town and Nottingham Forest, where he won praise for the stylish football they played, before agreeing to join Newcastle as Chris Hughton’s assistant in January 2009 and which saw them regain their Premier League status.

However, the former Scottish international defender – who won 36 caps and had spells at among other clubs Spurs and Aston Villa – said the pull of a top job in his homeland had proved too much.

“The opportunity to manage a top-flight side in my home country was hard for me to turn down,” said Calderwood on the Newcastle website.

“And that is a challenge I’m greatly looking forward to, but Newcastle will always be a special club to me.”

Calderwood, who fills the void left by John Hughes’s departure earlier this month, takes over with Hibs lying in eighth place, 16 points adrift of the top two Rangers and Celtic.

He edged out four other candidates for the job and Hibs chairman Rod Petrie said he had got the nod because he was a proven winner.

“Colin has been in the dug-out as a manager in nearly 300 matches.

“He also has a wealth of experience as a player and as an assistant manager in the English Premier League.

“He is a winner, having won promotion with three different clubs. He is a leader with real drive and determination to succeed. This makes him an outstanding choice.”

Hibernian have been starved of success for many years, the last of their four league titles coming in 1952, their last of two Scottish Cup successes was in 1902 though they won the Scottish League Cup in 2007.