Hibs resigned to losing caldwell

GARY Caldwell met Bobby Robson, the Newcastle United manager, yesterday to discuss his future but it looks unlikely the Scottish internationalist will be moving to Hibs next season.

The young defender has been a revelation during his loan period at Easter Road, and was outstanding in their 4-0 victory over Motherwell on Sunday. His prowess in defence also caught the eye of Scotland manager Berti Vogts, who capped him against France and Nigeria.

Caldwell conceded yesterday that he was now in a difficult position regarding his future as Newcastle had offered him a new contract but he did not want to spend his time on the sidelines.

Livingston players sweat it out

Livingston's out-of-contract players will have to win a UEFA Cup place without knowing whether they will be around to play in the competition next season. Eight of the stripped 16 who crashed to Aberdeen on Saturday have question marks hanging over their future, but have been told they must wait until the end of the campaign to learn their fate.

Steve Tosh, David Bingham, Rubio, Lee Makel, Massimo Caputo, Quino, Didier Santini, John Anderson, and Nocko Jokovic all have deals which expire in the summer.

Gemmill's goal could be the greatest

ARCHIE GEMMILL'S famous World Cup strike is in the running to be voted FIFA's Goal of the Century. The former Nottingham Forest midfielder netted an amazing solo goal against Holland in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, and FIFA have named it as one of seven outstanding goals in World Cup history. Voting will take place on FIFA's website ahead of this year's World Cup.

Double boost for Euro chasers Hearts

Hearts, still chasing a UEFA Cup place, look set to secure a significant double boost ahead of Sunday's vital clash with champions Celtic by concluding the Antti Niemi deal and having Stephane Mahe fit to start. The Tynecastle board met last night and were expected to rubber-stamp the outlay involved in the new four-year contract for Finnish internationalist Niemi.

Mahe was stretchered off after only 20 minutes of the victory over Dunfermline with suspected cartilage damage but those fears have been allayed.

Villa favourites to land Miller

ASTON VILLA are set to snatch Falkirk's Lee Miller from under the noses of Nottingham Forest. Andy Ritchie, their Scottish scout, ran the rule over Falkirk's top scorer last weekend and a Villa spokesman confirmed: ''We are very interested in Miller and would hope to reach agreement with the club and player before he has the chance to go on trial at Forest.''

Dunfermline could look to Nish

Jimmy Calderwood, the Dunfermline manager, could play Scotland's leading

under-21 scorer against Livingston this weekend as he bids to break the club's best Premier League points total. Colin Nish, 21, has scored 18 goals in the second-string league and made a second-half appearance in the 2-0 defeat by Hearts on Saturday.

Goodwin turns down Celtic contract

Jim Goodwin, the Celtic under-21 captain, has turned down a new contract after failing to break through to the first team. Newly promoted West Bromwich Albion, Dundee United, and several Austrian clubs have shown interest in the player.

Another chance for cup specialists Ayr

Ayr United's amazing season in cup competitions continues tonight when their youngsters meet Arbroath in the final of the Reserve League Cup. This season, Ayr reached the final of the CIS League Cup, the semi-final of the Scottish Cup and their youth side were beaten by Rangers in the final of the SFA Youth Cup.

The Somerset Park club have already won the Reserve League and the Scottish Youth League.