Hibernian academy player Owen Calder has headed out on loan for first-team experience, with the 17-year-old making a short-term move to the Lowland League.

The former Penicuik Athletic youth player has joined Berwick Rangers on loan until January 5, after featuring for Hibs in pre-season and performing well for the under-18s, who remain unbeaten in competitive matches. His arrival at Shielfield Park coincides with the recent departure of left-back Corrie Fellows. 

Calder, who is nominally a full-back but can operate anywhere down the left as well as at centre-back, joined Hibs in 2021 and signed his first professional deal last summer. He has also been involved in first-team training with the Scottish Premiership side since David Gray took the reins. 

Speaking about the temporary switch, Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay said: "This is a good move for Owen to get his first real taste of playing competitive senior football.

“The Lowland League is a competitive division, so this will be a good challenge for him to see where he is at, both technically and physically.

"He will still train with us at HTC during the week, so we will be able to follow his progress closely."

Berwick Rangers boss Tam Scobbie said earlier this week that he would be looking to bring players in after watching his side beaten 7-1 at home by East Kilbride before crashing out of the South Challenge Cup at the hands of ninth-tier Threave Rovers - who play four levels beneath the former SPFL side, who currently sit 12th out of 18 teams in the Lowland League. 

“We’re a club that wants to keep moving forward and we’ll look to see if there’s anyone out there to come and strengthen us. If there are players available, then we’ll go and get them because I want to be successful, the coaches want to be successful and some of the boys want to be successful. We need to analyse it and see where we can strengthen and find players who are going to come in and help the team," he told the Southern Reporter. 

Which teams could Calder come up against?

Calder could be involved when the wee Gers journey to Raydale Park to face Gretna 2008 on Saturday. Scobbie's side then face Forfar Athletic at Station Park in the second round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, October 26 before returning to league duty against Broxburn Athletic at Albyn Park on November 2 before a midweek visit to Bo'ness Athletic three days later in a fourth consecutive away game. 

Berwick then have a run of home games against Albion Rovers, Armadale in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, Cowdenbeath, East Stirlingshire, and Civil Service Strollers before travelling to K-Park to face East Kilbride on December 14. They then have a festive home-and-away double against Gala Fairydean Rovers on December 28 and January 4, 2025.