Bobby Robson in Hibs blast

Last updated : 12 May 2002 By
Newcastle boss Bobby Robson has taken a swipe at on loan defender Gary Caldwell, and Hibernian this weekend.

Robson told the News of the World: "Gary has had four years hard work from us, I got him the guarantee of first-team football on loan at Hibs, he gets picked for Scotland and now he doesn't want to come back."

The ex-England boss continued: "On top of that Hibs say they want to sign him. I'm very angry because he's our player. Where is the honour in that?"

Nae bother Mr Robson. What about all the other clubs that are reported to be interested in signing Gary? Everton, Coventry City and Celtic have all been linked with him, but you don't have a go at them. He's still your player, as you rightly point out.
Gary Caldwell
Gary for Scots. Would this have happened in Newcastle reserves?


And you're right again, because of you Caldwell got first team football at Easter Road, and subsequently a couple of Scotland caps because of his performances for Hibs. Did you give him these chances at St James' Park? Gary says he doesn't want to go back. The way I heard it was he didn't want to go back to reserve team football. Would you be happy if he did want to go back to missing out on first team action?

And then you have a go at Hibs for saying they want to keep him. Does that not go far to say how highly he is rated in Edinburgh? Would you be happier if the powers that be at Easter Road said 'We've enjoyed having Gary, but keeping him? NO THANKS!'

Apart from that, do you think we have the money to throw around on players at the moment? A couple of senior players look to be heading out of Edinburgh because of the lack of money in Scottish football at the moment, so if we can't afford to give a couple of key players extended contracts, what chance to we have of finding £500,000+ to use for a signing on fee?

You can't blast a player for having ambition, or a club looking to better themselves. Shame on you Mr Robson.