Calderwood hopes his players can learn from their mistakes

Colin Calderwood was frustrated to see Hibernian's defence continue to leak goals as they slumped to a 2-1 home loss to Aberdeen.

"If you make mistakes, you get what you deserve," was the manager's assessment of the defeat.

"We've had enough half-chances to believe that if we are better at the back you'll end up winning the game.

"We're nowhere near a level that is competitive enough. There are aspects that are clearly not good enough."

Aberdeen were seldom seen as an attacking force in the first half but took the lead when Scott Vernon raced away from Hibs skipper Chris Hogg to set up Yoann Folly for a tap-in.

Derek Riordan levelled on the stroke of half time but, in a second 45 minutes packed full of goal-scoring chances for both sides, Vernon was the only man to find the net.

"I'm fairly relaxed about it," Calderwood told BBC Radio Scotland.

"In terms of do we have good possession, more or less, yes, do we gain it back quickly, more or less, yes."

Hibs have slipped to 10th in the Scottish Premier League, just five points above bottom club Hamilton.

However, amid the gloom, the manager found time to praise the display of Scotland U21 midfielder David Wotherspoon.

"On dark days there are things you can really look at and David Wotherspoon's performance, as it was against Kilmarnock, was very good.

"What we are gaining is experience. It might be tough times but it will stand them in good stead as they look forward in their careers.

"It's not always an upward curve. It's not always smiling and joking.

"Hopefully they can look back in weeks rather than months and say there was some benefit and they can understand the hurt we're having at the minute."

Hibs fans were furious not to receive a penalty when Danny Galbraith was barged to the ground by Jerel Ifil but Calderwood did not think his side had a strong claim.

"I wouldn't want that given against me," was his verdict.

"He's brave enough to take the two boys on to get in the box but the covering defender was just in front of him and could use his bodyweight to shield the ball back to the keeper."

When asked about his plans to strengthen the squad in January, Calderwood was typically oblique.

However, with just two wins in the nine games he has overseen, his answer was far from reassuring for the current crop of players.

"We've always said we would be respectful of the boys that are here and give them the best opportunity of getting results," he said.

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