SidBurns
20-10-2010, 12:29 PM
A bit from today's Daily Ranger:-
COLIN CALDERWOOD probably wouldn't have beaten himself up if he hadn't landed the Hibs job given he was competing with more than 100 candidates.
However, Craig Brown last night revealed how the former Scotland and Spurs defender regularly used to do just that before games.
A tough and uncompromising centre-half, Calderwood had an unusual pre-match routine whenever he represented his country. The 45-year-old, who won 36 caps under Brown, used to talk to himself and slap his own face in order to get himself fired up.
It was a practice that drew some strange looks from team-mates but helped Scotland reach the finals of Euro 96 and France 98.
Brown said: "He used to sit in the corner of the dressing room and slap himself across the face.
"He got himself psyched up and while it was an alternative approach it worked for him.
"He would also talk to himself before matches shouting, 'C'mon' over and over again. Colin was a strong and powerful character on and off the pitch who did exceptionally well for Scotland."
Colin Hendry, who struck up a terrific partnership with Calderwood at international level, also recalled his team-mate's bizarre ritual.
He said: "His routine was rather unusual, but it was his own way of setting himself up for a match.
"He was a quiet lad who didn't say much in the dressing room although he was more extrovert in the minutes before kick-off."
Hibs chairman Rod Petrie opted for Calderwood to succeed John Hughes ahead of 105 other applicants.
And Motherwell manager Brown, who is relishing the chance to lock horns with his former charge, believes it is an inspired choice. But the ex-Scotland boss has warned the Hibs players not to mistake Calderwood for a soft touch because of his easy-going nature.
Brown said: "He will be a top-class appointment for Hibs. He had success at Northampton and Nottingham Forest, winning promotion with both, and comes to the SPL with a great pedigree.
"He will make Hibs hard to beat because he was hard to beat on the park both individually and as part of a team.
"He was a tough guy. He might have the nicest smile in the SPL and is a wonderful bloke, but if the Hibs players think he's a soft touch they're in for a shock.
"He is hard as nails and a tough taskmaster. As a player he was the ultimate hard-working professional and he will expect that from all of his players."
The cornerstone of Brown's team alongside Hendry and Tom Boyd, Stranraer-born Calderwood was an integral part of the last successful national side.
COLIN CALDERWOOD probably wouldn't have beaten himself up if he hadn't landed the Hibs job given he was competing with more than 100 candidates.
However, Craig Brown last night revealed how the former Scotland and Spurs defender regularly used to do just that before games.
A tough and uncompromising centre-half, Calderwood had an unusual pre-match routine whenever he represented his country. The 45-year-old, who won 36 caps under Brown, used to talk to himself and slap his own face in order to get himself fired up.
It was a practice that drew some strange looks from team-mates but helped Scotland reach the finals of Euro 96 and France 98.
Brown said: "He used to sit in the corner of the dressing room and slap himself across the face.
"He got himself psyched up and while it was an alternative approach it worked for him.
"He would also talk to himself before matches shouting, 'C'mon' over and over again. Colin was a strong and powerful character on and off the pitch who did exceptionally well for Scotland."
Colin Hendry, who struck up a terrific partnership with Calderwood at international level, also recalled his team-mate's bizarre ritual.
He said: "His routine was rather unusual, but it was his own way of setting himself up for a match.
"He was a quiet lad who didn't say much in the dressing room although he was more extrovert in the minutes before kick-off."
Hibs chairman Rod Petrie opted for Calderwood to succeed John Hughes ahead of 105 other applicants.
And Motherwell manager Brown, who is relishing the chance to lock horns with his former charge, believes it is an inspired choice. But the ex-Scotland boss has warned the Hibs players not to mistake Calderwood for a soft touch because of his easy-going nature.
Brown said: "He will be a top-class appointment for Hibs. He had success at Northampton and Nottingham Forest, winning promotion with both, and comes to the SPL with a great pedigree.
"He will make Hibs hard to beat because he was hard to beat on the park both individually and as part of a team.
"He was a tough guy. He might have the nicest smile in the SPL and is a wonderful bloke, but if the Hibs players think he's a soft touch they're in for a shock.
"He is hard as nails and a tough taskmaster. As a player he was the ultimate hard-working professional and he will expect that from all of his players."
The cornerstone of Brown's team alongside Hendry and Tom Boyd, Stranraer-born Calderwood was an integral part of the last successful national side.