Source: Team_Talk
Hughes salutes strike ace Riordan
Hibernian manager John Hughes has heaped praise on Derek Riordan as the striker prepares to fire his team in Europe.[LNB] New father Riordan has found a new sense of responsibility on and off the park after being handed the captain's armband for spells during Hibernian's pre-season tour of Holland.[LNB]The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his contract during his second spell at his boyhood club, and Hughes would relish the opportunity to continue helping the Scotland cap improve.[LNB]Hughes said: "He has worked ever so hard, I was very impressed with Derek.[LNB]"He's very clever in terms of finding spaces and pockets and there's not many better finishers.[LNB]"If you had seen the free-kick against Nijmegen - I was standing right behind it.[LNB]"He hit it with everything -[LNB]he got a bit of squiggle on, he got it left to right and in the last 10 yards got the reverse whip on it. He beat him all ends up, it was absolutely fantastic.[LNB]"He was skipper for us a couple of times over there, getting that responsibility.[LNB]"I have always enjoyed Derek as a lad and a player and some of the stuff you see on the training pitch from him is top drawer. Can I make him a better player? 100%"[LNB]Hughes hinted that moves to extend the former Celtic striker's contract had already begun, but he is focused on the Europa League third qualifying round first leg against Maribor in Slovenia on Thursday.[LNB]Hughes said: "When you have got players, not just with that quality, but with Hibs running through their veins...[LNB]"That's all in discussion, let's get through the tie.[LNB]"There are more players that I would like to keep at this club.[LNB]"But it works both ways - when their contracts run out, that allows you to shuffle the pack a wee bit.[LNB]"So that's just a wee carrot I'll be dangling in front of them for most of the season."
