Riordan and Blade want Celtic exit

Derek Riordan has admitted he wants to quit Celtic in January in a bid to play first-team football elsewhere.

The 24-year-old has become frustrated by his lack of game time since joining Celtic from Hibernian.

“I would rather go away and just concentrate on another club now,” he said.

“I don’t want to go out on loan because then I’d come back and not play again. I would rather get my head down somewhere else and get my career going again.”

Meanwhile, Bobo Balde has revealed he could also be on the move after being told by manager Gordon Strachan he is now sixth-choice defender.

“I don’t want to be at a club where I am not wanted anymore so it is better for me to leave,” he said.

“I have been told I am sixth-choice defender by the manager. There is nothing wrong with that and it is a clear situation. What I want to make clear is that it is rubbish to say I am just taking the money.”