It would be very easy for a player like Caldwell, who stated himself "that he is not a right-back" just to play the basics, ignore the managers wishes to build from the back and just lump the ball up the field. I am sure that WGS would have given him dispensation in this case but no, Caldwell listened to his manger, tried to support the play and never once hid from the ball or his duty to the jersey.
And how is he rewarded for this strength and character? Boos and vitriol from people in the stands who have never played a competitive game of football in their life. Luckily for us Caldwell just dusted himself down and got on with it. I wonder how it must feel to put in that effort in training and during matches only to be berated for every touch.
Caldwell shrugs when asked how he coped with the criticism. He said: "You've either got it within you or you haven't. Maybe it's your parents, your upbringing or the way you are as a person. You either have it or you don't.
"I always remember Tommy Craig at Newcastle telling us that we were better taking the ball and making big mistakes than standing behind somebody else.
"Our reserve team there played in a way where everyone took the ball and wanted to play so I've just carried it on throughout my career.
"I've never doubted myself that I was doing a good job. My first season at Celtic, Stephen and I went six games in a row without conceding a goal and then I got injured.
"This season I had to play a large part at full-back and people jumped on me and said I wasn't good enough.
"But I don't think many players are good enough when they are playing in a position they aren't comfortable with. I always feel when I've played centre-half I've done a job and conceded very few goals.
"That's all the manager wants, the team wants and the Celtic fans want to see."
Caldwell spoke of the catalyst to the fans anger, the mis-placed pass that saw Barcelona score at Paradise earlier in the year "Unfortunately when you give it to Ronaldinho and he's got Henry outside him the chances are you get punished.
"Luckily I had a manager who stood by me and kept me believing. I never doubted myself that I could play at that level and win championships for Celtic. That's proved to be the case.
"It's great that he has supported me. That's what you want from a manager - somebody who believes in you and has the confidence and belief that I can do what he asks me to do.
"I think the spell where I was getting stick was when I was having to play full-back and I am not a full-back. Everyone knows that. But I had a job to do for the team during that spell and the manager thanked me for what I was doing in that situation and showed faith when I got back to centre-half."
I thank you to Gary, you are a far better player than many like to give you credit for, and I cringe when I here unsubstantiated drivel like "he thinks he is a better player than he is" attributed to you by supporters.
Keep up the good work Gary, for every fan who berated you there were ten supporting you.
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt