Celtic Interested In Riordan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/4575821.stm

Hibernian striker Derek Riordan could be a Celtic player next season. BBC Sport understands that the Glasgow club have made an enquiry about the 22-year-old, who scored 23 goals this season and is in the Scotland squad. Riordan still has 18 months left on his current contract, but Hibs are listening to offers after he failed to agree a new one at Easter Road. New Celtic manager Gordon Strachan could move for Riordan if he fails to sign Craig Bellamy from Newcastle.
Bellamy was a success on loan to Celtic for the second half of the season and Strachan has already received indications that he would be interested in remaining in Glasgow.

Hibs manager Mowbray does not want to risk losing Riordan for nothing in December 2006. We don't want to get into the same situation as we have with Ian Murray

Hibs manager Tony Mowbray

"It seems we have come to the end of the negotiations," Mowbray told the Edinburgh Evening News.

Hibs are certain to lose captain Ian Murray this summer when his contract runs out, with the versatile midfielder expected to join Rangers.

"We don't want to get into the same situation as we have with Ian," added the manager.

"Rod Petrie (Hibernian chairman) tells me he has been talking to Derek and his agent for the last 18 months and we have certainly been talking since I arrived at the club.

"We try to be fair. I am a believer in having a wage structure and, if your talent warrants it, then you get top dollar.

"But if you start stretching that structure then every agent is telling you his player is the best and, before you know it, you are spending far too much money.

"We have reached our financial ceiling with Derek. He was made an offer which would have made him one of the top two or three earners at the club.

"As a football club, we have to make a decision and that decision is that we are not going to let the situation arise where he sees his current contract out and then walks away for nothing.

"We are not sticking any figures or prices on Derek.

"I've told him we'd love the situation to be resolved with him staying here, where we believe he can continue his football education."

 

I'm not overly keen on this - talented he maybe but nobody seems to know his best position and if he were as suggested the plan B with regards to Bellamys extension or not then Strachan will have got off on the wrong foot with the Celtic fans. Although I'm sure this is Chick Young tosh I would say Robbie Keane should be bought if Bellamy stays or goes but the former is wishful thinking on my part.

 

If he fails to get Bellamy he'll go for Riordan!! Just listen to how stupid that sounds. I wouldn't mind him as a fringe player...but for gods sake we're wantin a keane or phillips if Bellers doesnt stay!

 

This may be the 1st sign of Strachen having to cut his cloth accordingly - scoring 23 goal outside of the old firm is a start though and he is perhaps one of the most gifted scottish players for sometime - i'd take him in front of Phillips but not Keane.

 

Would love to see Niemi, Hartley, Riordan and Robbie Keane in the Hoops next year, but we still need 2 central defenders, a left back, cover for midfield and possible cover for up front, hopefully Maloney and Kennedy will come back as good, time for Beattie to move on, great pace, but pish touch and finishing(the new Burchill).

 

Def for Hartley we really need a busy wee midfielder. Can't believe you don't rate Beattie he has everything to make it at the top level.

 

I would love Riordan in a Celtic top he'd be another one to add to great youth we've got and it would show we're looking to the future and dont forget that he plays left right or centre up front or just behind and he can play on the wings great versatility. Bellars, Robbie Keane and Riordan with BBJ leaving but Sutty staying to be the target man. We Need Strength In Depth

 

Sorry mate, I have seen enough of Beattie to think that he is the same mould as others who burst onto the first team then dissappear. Remember Burchill, Hay, Britton, Crainey(jerry), all thought they were good enough, what did any of them achieve after Celtic? For me, watching Beattie against Rangers, he was put through 1 on 1 with Wateraus and showed no composure or an eye for goal, the same against Motherwell, where he stood on the ball, he knows his chances are limited he has to improve. Just my opinion though, maybe he will prove me wrong, and at the same time save the club a bit of money.

 

has every1 forgotten about pearson. he did excellent for celtic in his first season then all of a sudden got dropped. he was signed from motherwell so riordan could have the same impact as pearson and i do believe we need more scots who know what the old firm is in our team! Strachan was a good start.

BTW who copied whos avatar? (look at all the posts on this page!)

 

offer turned by hibs according to sky sports

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=281921&CPID=14&CLID=&lid=2&title=Hibs+reject+Bhoys+Riordan+bid&channel=Football_Home
I'm getting worried now - Bellamy or Keano are the only forward that could do it in Europe - The Beat would score 20 odd goals in the SPL even Camara would have FFS....

 

Riordan is just standing still. We need someone of the class of a Bellamy.

 

they might be looking at him for wide right, he is two footed but for me all our effort and budget should be concentrated on Bellamy/Keano a Keeper- a Centre Half- a Left Back and the aforementioned wide right player


still on the positive side - at least we're getting our business done quickly this year.

 

he'll be like a new signing - I'm sure GS will like him as he's an athlete, shame about his first touch (sometimes) though but definately a player i rate.... Cmon the hoops

 

As said before he is a great player, but I couldn't see him having what it takes to make a proper impact, he could just end up like Pearson, Sylla, Fernandez. But with Strachan he may give him a few chances in the first team, to prove himself.

 

Just been on the Scottish news that Celtic have had a bid turned down for Riordan, like Hartley and Robbie Keane, he only has a year left on his contract, up to Celtic to negotiate a decent deal!!!! Unfortunately as soon as Celtic express an intrest in any player their transfer fee increases, are Hearts serious about paying 1.2M for Hartley? Bet a Championship side could negotiate a cheaper deal with the Huns' reserves!!! P.S. check out Dundee's new away top, red, white, and blue stripes, maybe they are the Huns' representatives for the 1st division, they sing Hello,hello, and we wave goodbye!

 

Who is better Riordan or Maloney?

If Maloney was at Hibs how many would he net? What about Beattie. What I'm saying is, we have talent at the club. The players I've just mentioned have as much in the locker as eachother right now and brining in Riordan will make it even harder for our young strikers to get in on the first team and each of their own personal development as players will slow down.

Riordan should stay at Hibs. I think he's a great finisher but too light at the minute and too inexperienced. Let's see how you do in Europe with Hibs this year mate then we'll think about you.

 

I think Roirden would be great for versitility alone i agree he'd be great wide right plus two great feet also think that once Brown gets a wee run at hibs agin he'd be great - same mould as Lennon only perhaps more rounded player.

Anyone who goes out in Glasgow will know why Pearson is not getting a game (no coincidence that his best mate burke isn't playing for the Huns either) but it may change under Strachen.

 

Heard the rumours about Pearson and the Bolivian Marching Powder too many times this season, maybe there is something in it, but he has played for Scotland this season, surely they have drug testing too. Have also heard he's been injured a lot and has had a loss of form. I made this point in another thread, the 2nd season is always harder for young players, McGeady looks the business, lets hope both him and Pearson have a good new season. Would still like to see Riordan, he is a little lightweight, but so is Maloney and Beattie. Brown would be another good addition, he's a hard working pain in the *, the new Darren Jackson!!! We need players about this age to be the mainstay for the next 5 or so years.