Talkin’ with Strachan - What to do with Riordan?

Gordy is a delightful coach from whom you can glean a great thought or clever one-liner. Talkin’ with Strachan hopes to be that once or twice a week sit-down with the great Scot of Celtic Park.

This week, following last week’s home SPREM win against Aberdeen and yet another embarrassing away loss in Denmark, this week seems to be business as usual for Gordon Strachan and Celtic.

As reported by Sky Sports today, there are talks at Parkhead about the use and usefulness of 23 year old, Edinburgh-born Derek Riordan, the talent Hibs striker Celtic acquired in May of this year. With no goals and only 2 appearances in the Hoops, there is frustration from the young talent, who scored 54 goals in 123 appearances for the Easter Parkers.

Says Gordy, “Derek has been unfortunate…I think he is naturally the best finisher at the club but from a wide left position rather than as a striker… But Aiden (McGeady) has been voted player of the month a couple of times and Shaun (Maloney) plays in that position.”

Unfortunate indeed, as Strachan acknowledges that young Riordan would thrive at striker or in the midfield, but that more mastered players are filling the spots AND scoring well, as well as often. Perhaps not so coincidental, as reported in The Scotsman, old Bhoy Peter Grant at Norwich City has made his interest known in the unused talent of Riordan.

Is this a case of rendering an opponent’s talented, young scorer useless by simply spending a few quid and putting him on your bench. Sending him on Norwich City wouldn’t hurt Celtic, and if Strachan can’t use him, it should be a non-issue.

Bottom-line, he’s no longer scoring Hib goals.

We are Celtic. This is the Celtic Offside Report.

Category: Celtic, Talkin' with Strachan

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