Caldwell's capital return

AS the former Hibernian captain, Gary Caldwell is not expecting the red-carpet treatment when Celtic face Hearts on Sunday. Instead, the Hoops defender will gladly settle for three points as a memento from his Tynecastle visit.

After spending over three years at Easter Road, the 24-year-old is well versed in the intensity of the Edinburgh derby and is expecting a tough test this weekend when he returns to the capital as a Celtic player.

“I think Hearts are a force and they have progressed from last year again,” said Caldwell, as he modelled Celtic’s new green and black away kit (above).

“I watched their Champions League qualifier last week and they look like a team that’s very strong and together. It will be difficult and we’ll have to be at our best to win the game.”

With Kenny Miller and Derek Riordan also in the running to feature for Gordon Strachan’s side on Sunday, Caldwell is one of three ex-Hibs players in the Celtic squad and won't be awaiting a standing ovation from the Hearts support when he appears on the pitch.

“There are a few of us here with connections to Hibs and everyone is going to get some stick at some point,” said Caldwell. “But it won’t affect us too much.

“There are a lot of players who could get hostile receptions on Sunday, but it’s like any other game when you go away. The fans of the home team will give you some stick but I’m looking forward to it and I’m sure everyone else is.”

Caldwell has settled in well at Celtic since making the Bosman summer move from Hibs and clearly feels at home in his new surroundings.

His central defensive partnership with Stephen McManus is blossoming with every passing game and the Scotland internationalist insists he’s thriving on the pressure of being a Celtic player.

“I’m loving it,” grinned Caldwell. “It’s been great so far and I’m enjoying playing with the team and for a club of this size. I’m just looking forward to every game at the moment.

“When you come to a new club, you get new ideas and work with different players. Every time you play, you hopefully learn and become better.

“I think I’m learning at the moment and hopefully I can become better over the next few years here.

“When you play for one of the biggest clubs in the world you have to expect pressure. You’ve got 60,000 fans watching you every week and the pressure is on.

“But it’s the type of pressure footballers want to be playing under every week and I’m enjoying it so far. If you want to be the best you can be, you’ve got to handle that and play on big stages. There is no bigger stage than Celtic.”

Caldwell was buoyed by Celtic’s 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock on Saturday and insists the performance showed that criticism of the Hoops’ pre-season results was over the top.

“I think the people that give the criticism don’t really know too much about football and don’t understand what pre-season is for,” said the former Newcastle player.

“Football is about winning on a Saturday when it matters. Last weekend we were very good against Kilmarnock and got a comfortable victory.

“As long as that continues then I’m sure the people who have had a lot to say, won’t have too much to say in the future.”