Riordan eager to be Hoops regular

Derek Riordan is determined to convince manager Gordon Strachan he can handle a more prominent role at Celtic.

The former Hibernian frontman experienced a tough first season at Parkhead after finding first-team opportunities hard to come by.

Several English clubs were reportedly keen to sign him before the August transfer window closed.

However Riordan started and scored in the 5-1 league win at St Mirren nine days ago, and the 24-year-old is hoping it marks the start of a change in fortunes.

“Celtic is a massive club and I want to do well here and I think that I can do well here,” he told Celtic View.

“I want to score a lot of goals, set up as many as I can and try and get into that team every week.”

Riordan could come up against the former Hibernian colleague he regards as an example to all footballers this weekend when player-boss Craig Brewster brings his Inverness Caledonian Thistle side to Parkhead.

Riordan and Brewster were briefly team-mates in the 2001/02 season at Easter Road.

Now 40, Brewster is still playing in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and has three goals in four games this season, including the consolation strike for former club Aberdeen against Celtic last month.

Riordan said: “Craig was brilliant against us when we were playing against Aberdeen a few weeks ago and he was brilliant when we played with him at Hibs.

“He’s just a big, strong target-man and is a clever, experienced player.

“It was great playing with him at Hibs and he worked with me and big Gaz (Garry O’Connor).”