Source: FOOTYMAD
Hibs For Me: Riordan
Derek Riordan wants to stick with Hibs and help get them away from the wrong end of the SPL After speculation over his commitment to Hibs, following not training last week, Derek Riordan has come out with a: "I want to stay." statement and backing his manager Colin Calderwood Riordan is out of contract at the end of the season and speculation had linked with transfer window moves to Rangers, the English Premier League and Championship, as well as Turkey and Russia. It was he who finally ended Hibs' 11-hour wait for a goal by scoring the opener in Wednesday night's 2-0 win over St Mirren, which eased their predicament at the foot of the SPl, and afterwards pledged his commitment to the Easter Road club. He said: "I'm happy at Hibs, I enjoy it. I want to stay at Hibs all my career. I've had wee talks (about a new contract), everybody's had wee talks but (Calderwood) has said we'd assess it later on. I've just got to be happy playing football." The win was Hibs' first since a 13 November win over Motherwell, ending a 12-game winless streak and improving Calderwood's record to three wins and 12 losses from 18 in charge. This sort of run would put any manager under pressure let alone one who was brought in to halt a slide. Riordan was pleased to reward his manager with three points as Hibs climbed a place to 10th in the SPL. He said: "It's been quite hard on the gaffer and I've felt quite sorry for him. You want to do well for him because he's such a brilliant guy, one of the nicest managers I've had. Everyone gets on really well with him and you don't want to see bad results go for him." Riordan has been frustrated by recent performances after cutting a lonely figure up front at times without being as effective as he can be due to poor service from the rest of the team. This was an issue recognised by Calderwood and influenced his recruitment drive. Six new players have arrived - three midfielders, a full-back who can also play further forward, a striker and a goalkeeper - in an effort to move Hibs up the table. Riordan believes Hibs will only improve with Akpo Sodje, Victor Palsson, Matt Thornhill and Richie Towell impressive in the win over St Mirren. He went on: "It's not nice playing every week and getting beaten. I don't think we've created a lot and we've lacked a bit of presence in midfield. I've not been happy recently with the amount of chances created for the strikers, but we dominated (against St Mirren). He (Calderwood) has got the players in that he's wanted now and we've got a first victory, so it's obviously worked a bit. Victor's come in, Matty and big Sodje. That helped us, helped me." Riordan has been immediatley impressed with the addition of Sodje, who signed from Charlton on deadline day, and it will relieve some of the burden on him to get all the goals. The Scotland striker added: "He's brilliant in the air and he's dead strong - he's got a 12-pack; he's ripped." Hibs need to build on the midweek win and have Kilmarnock in their sights on 12 February. Riordan said: "We want to stay in the SPL - that's our aim because we're down at the bottom of the league. We've got to try and take as many victories as we can before the end of the season. We've got to get points on the board. We got an important win and we've just got to carry that on against Kilmarnock." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
