Source: Team_Talk
Mixu backs Riordan to find target
Riordan, 26, has not found the net in his last five outings, his longest dry spell since rejoining Hibs from Celtic last summer.
The run has corresponded with a change of tactics by Paatelainen, which had seen Riordan switch from a centre-forward position to the left wing.
"Derek will always score goals," Paatelainen told his club's official website.
"He can score in any game against any opposition - and in any position.
"He can read the game well and is a very good striker of the ball and will get you goals no matter what area of the pitch he is on.
"To be clear here, we are not trying to make Derek a defensive minded player because he is offensive, he is out there to score goals for us and help us win matches.
"But, obviously, any player that is in the midfield has to be minded of the defensive side as well.
"On that, he has done really well recently and has worked very hard on and off the field, working a lot in training on weights and sprint training, and getting sharper all the time as a result."
The tactical change is arguably responsible for Hibs' recent resurgence.
The Edinburgh club have taken eight points from the last 12 on offer and have kept four straight clean sheets in the league for the first time since 1991.
Paatelainen was eager to praise Riordan for his part in making Hibs harder to beat.
He said: "His defensive side has been very important, he has done tremendously well in that aspect of his game - it's not his forte, it's not something he is known for.
"But he puts a lot of effort in there and helps his team-mates and that is certainly appreciated by them."
Another surprise of late has been Alan O'Brien's move to the opposite flank.
Paatelainen said: "Alan O'Brien has shown that he has a decent right foot and can delivery effective crosses from that side of the pitch.
"We are also hoping that he can get on the scoresheet himself before too long; he does that in training all the time.
"He is not perhaps known for it but we know he can do it; it is a side of his game he can improve on but he keeps putting crosses in regardless if he is on the left or right wing.
"He gives us the option to swap around with Derek from time to time as both of these players are capable of playing on either wing."
