Source: Team_Talk
I can match Rooney - Riordan
The summer signing of Anthony Stokes has seen Riordan moved out to an inside left position, similar to that occupied by Rooney at Manchester United last season.[LNB]The sale of Cristiano Ronaldo saw Rooney once again become the focal point of United's attack and he has responded with the best goalscoring form of his career.[LNB]Asked if he could emulate Rooney's feats, Riordan said: "Definitely.[LNB]"I think if you play up front, you're definitely going to get at least two chances a game.[LNB]"You've just got to take those chances.[LNB]"Every season I've played, I think I've hit basically 20 goals a season.[LNB]"If you get a full run at it, I think every striker should be roughly up at 20 goals a season."[LNB]Riordan, 27, believes he has done well to get into double figures so far.[LNB]"I've had to adapt and I have to defend a lot more now," he said.[LNB]"But I've still scored 12 goals this season so it's okay.[LNB]"It's quite good for left-midfield.[LNB]"I always want to score 20 goals a season if I'm playing a very attacking role.[LNB]"I've still got another 12-13 games this season, so as long as I'm fresh, I'll get quite a high number of goals."[LNB]Like Rooney last season, Riordan is refusing to complain about his lot, saying: "I'm just happy to play to be honest.[LNB]"I just go out on the pitch and try to do my own thing.[LNB]"I try to score as many goals as I can if I get the chances.[LNB]"I had a couple of chances (against St Johnstone) on Saturday which I was disappointed not to score.[LNB]"I think I was that rusty because I've not had as many chances."[LNB]Hibs' recent loss of form has coincided with a barren spell in front of goal for Riordan.[LNB]His four-match scoreless run could not have come at a worse time, with the forward omitted from the Scotland squad for last night's win over the Czech Republic.[LNB]"You want to be part of your national squad obviously, but you've got to keep playing well," said Riordan, who has failed to sufficiently impress new national team boss Craig Levein.[LNB]"Every manager's different.[LNB]"I just want to focus on my point and playing well and scoring goals and trying to get back in there."[LNB]Looking ahead to Scotland's European Championship qualifiers, he added: "I've got until September.[LNB]"I've just got to try to finish the season well and start the next season again."[LNB]The return of Kris Boyd after the Rangers striker's self-imposed exile may further limit Riordan's opportunities.[LNB]"Boydy's back in there now and I'm sure he'll score goals when he gets the chance of playing," the Hibs star said.[LNB]"Boydy's obviously a different player from me; he's an in-the-box poacher, like an Ally McCoist.[LNB]"I think people are quite harsh on him for the number of goals he scores."[LNB]Riordan knows his international ambitions will be helped if he fires Hibs to third place this season.[LNB]Despite the club going five matches without a win, Riordan is confident they will do just that, starting with a win in Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Kilmarnock[LNB]"We've got a great squad here for us to all fit into," he said.[LNB]"There's no reason why we cannot finish third."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
