Source: FOOTYMAD
Riordan Putting The Work In
There was no room in Craig Levein's Scotland squad for Derek Riordan this time around but his manager knows he is pulling his weight. Hibs manager John Hughes has assured Derek Riordan he is working hard enough after the striker was left out of the recently announced Scotland squad. Levein. Riordan has scored three goals in four games, including a sublime chip against Celtic on Saturday, but failed to make Craig Levein's squad for the EURO 2012 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Spain. Levein has opted for the likes of Chris Iwelumo and the uncapped Surrey-born Jamie Mackie ahead of Riordan, who has three Scotland caps to his name. The striker has often been seen as a gifted player who does not work as hard as others, not the kind who are likely to find favour with Levein. But Hughes insists Riordan pulls his weight in the Hibs team and praised him for a hard-working display at Parkhead last weekend in a lone striker's role. Hughes said: "I think he has shown form, goalscoring form too. He has certainly come into Craig's thoughts. He just needs to keep doing what he's doing for Hibs and scoring goals, and I'm sure the door will open again for him." Hughes first became aware of Riordan as a youngster when both played for Hibs and he feels his former team-mate has matured in recent times. Hughes said: "He works very hard at his game. We're finished training and Derek is still out there shooting and practising. My concern on Saturday was playing Derek as a lone striker, and I felt he worked his socks off. I was delighted he got a goal to go with all the hard work, realising you can score goals, work hard and play your part for the team. Derek knows that every game he needs to put his shoulder to the wheel. And I've seen that, I've had no complaints with Derek Riordan since I've come to the club. In fact, it's the opposite, I've been impressed with his attitude and commitment. He is back-tracking, putting tackles in, winning headers, and he just needs to do more of that. The goals will come as well. The thing about Derek, it's a fine balance. You ask him to do all that and you're taking him out of areas where he's at his best, and that's in the final third. Sometimes you have to make sure you set your team up accordingly and let Derek do his bit of business in the final third." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
