Stachan still searching for reinforcements

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insists his summer signing spree is not over yet.

The Hoops boss has been busy strengthening his squad for the new season and Hibernian striker Derek Riordan became the third player to join the Scottish champions this week.

The 23-year-old signed a three-year deal today, adding to the captures of Jiri Jarosik from Chelsea and Feyenoord teenager Evander Sno over the last few days.

Gary Caldwell and Kenny Miller have also been recruited after signing pre-contract agreements last season.

But Strachan is well aware that he needs a squad strong enough to cope with the demands of both the Bank of Scotland Premier League and the Champions League.

And he admits he needs to add more experience to the players already at his disposal.

“I looked at the squad this morning and I thought ‘Yeah, there is a lot of good stuff to work with‘ but we still need that experience to help these younger players,” he said.

“We are still actively looking but it might be more experience we‘re looking for now, players who we know can definitely handle big games, a lot of games and take the pressure that comes with playing for Celtic.

“We can‘t just say it‘s going to be a young team, that can‘t be done.

“I‘m going to merge that with experience.”

Like Hibs team-mate Caldwell, Riordan had also reached a pre-contract agreement with Celtic but his contract did not expire until October.

That would have meant spending several months in limbo before being able to play for his new club in January.

However, Celtic agreed a reported £150,000 fee with Hibs to allow Riordan to begin the new season at Parkhead and Strachan believes that was the best outcome for both clubs.

“It‘s a bonus for everybody,” he said. “I think it‘s better for everybody involved, even for Hibs.

“They have the compensation and they can go and plan ahead now.

“It‘s great for us but more importantly it‘s great for the player.

“Fortunately, we all got sensible and you can do deals that keep everybody happy and I think everybody is happy.”

Strachan added: “He brings youth, willingness to get better and he wants to test himself.

“At Celtic, whether you are a manager or a player, you are well and truly tested.

“If you can do well here, you can do well anywhere.

“I spoke to Derek and he said ‘You‘ve got a strong squad, you‘ve got Shaun Maloney, Shunsuke Nakamura, Aiden McGeady.

“I said ‘Listen, they know you‘re coming and they‘re starting to get worried as well‘.

“So that‘s good for us.”

Riordan, who was the subject of a failed bid by Rangers in January, was pleased to see Hibs benefit financially from the deal.

“I‘m glad I‘m in early to get to know the squad and the coaching staff as well,” he said.

“Celtic have paid the money so I‘m glad Hibs have got something for me.

“I‘ll leave on a good note with them getting some money instead of leaving for nothing so I‘m delighted.”

He added: “Celtic are a massive club, with 60,000 fans every week, so it‘s a big step for me.

“I just hope that I can get in the team and play well and score loads of goals.”