Western Morning News (Saturday)
Caldwell will lean on Old Firm experiences
NEW Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell may be about to experience his first Devon derby, but he needs no briefing about the intensity of such an occasion.
The Grecians boss will have been in situ for just a week when City head down the A38 to arch-rivals Plymouth Argyle on Monday night for the first meeting between the two sides since Exeter’s 4-0 win at St James Park in October 2019.
But while this is Caldwell’s first time of experiencing the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, he is no stranger to such clashes having played for Celtic in Glasgow’s Old Firm derby during his playing days, amongst others.
The 40-year-old Scot is hoping that he can use that experience to help his players on Monday, especially many of the Exeter players have not experienced it either, insisting that cool heads and clarity is key when passion and emotions are sure to run high.
“I remember playing in an Old Firm Cup Final and it was the most nervous I have ever been for any football match because of the enormity of the game,” Caldwell said, referring to the Scottish league Cup final of 2009, which his Celtic side won 2-0. “I couldn’t picture what losing would have been like – I couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to have lost the game because it was such a big game.
“If it was a league game, it was three points and you could win and claw that back, but a Cup Final… you can’t get back if you lose, so I was really nervous going into that game and so was everyone else on the pitch – it was one of the worst games of football ever, but we won.
“I remember thinking that’s not how you should feel going into a game of that magnitude. Then I worked under Roberto Martinez at Wigan and we went to a Cup Final against Manchester City. We were massive underdogs, but had real clarity about how we were going to win the game – and real belief on how we would win the game – and we beat a team (1-0) that was far superior to ourselves because of how he prepared the team on the day and because of the clarity he gave every individual. That gave us the belief to know we could so it.
“That is what I want to take from those experiences. I have to get the players into a position where, yes, this is a big game and they will be nervous, but they know how to go about winning it. That clarity is really important.”
Caldwell started his career with Newcastle, but never played a first team game, so the opportunity to play against their big rivals Sunderland – at first team level at least – never arose.
However, Caldwell has played in the Edinburgh derby, for Hibernian, represented Derby County against Nottingham Forest and for Wigan Athletic against Bolton.
His no stranger to the big occasion, though, having played at some of the biggest club grounds in Europe for Celtic in the Champions League and representing Scotland on 55 occasions. He even scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over France in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park in October 2006.
“Every club I have played for, you realise very quickly who the derbies are and what the big game is. Ultimately, it’s three points we are playing for, but I am very much aware that, for the supporters, there is much more on this game than just three points.
“It’s the bragging rights and being able to speak to their mates at work or wherever and having that opportunity to get one over on your biggest rival and I understand how important that is, so the players will prepare and it is my job to make the players aware of the enormity of the game, but how we are going to win the game and clarity on how we are going to be successful in this game.
“We have to be emotional, without a doubt, but we have to play with our heads for moments within the game. Getting that balance right is so important in terms of performance, I understand the fans will be excited and nervous in equal measure, but we have to get that balance right so we can deliver a performance that will get us the points on the night.”