Riordan curses Esson penalty 'jinx'

Derek Riordan cursed his luck after losing his personal battle with Ryan Esson for a third time in Hibernian's 1-1 draw with Inverness. The 27-year-old looked set to add to his early opener when Hibs won a penalty in the 66th minute of the Scottish Premier League clash at Easter Road on Saturday.But Riordan, who had been felled by David Proctor, hit the post to continue a tale of missed chances for the hosts.Inverness responded from their let-off and striker Adam Rooney made no mistake with his spot-kick eight minutes from time to earn the Highlanders a point.Riordan revealed it was the latest in a series of missed penalties for Hibs, and against Inverness goalkeeper Esson.He said: "I think I've missed my last three penalties, and that's also three I've missed against Esson. I think he's a jinx."I've hit two off that right post against Esson and I think the other one was away from home."I actually tried to put it in the bottom corner, but I connected with it too well and it's just flown towards the top corner off the post."We created enough chances to win any match, but that's football for you. We didn't take them."Hibs remain without a win at Easter Road since early March, a run of eight games.John Hughes' men were booed off at the end while the manager has lost new signing Darryl Duffy to a broken metatarsal for up to eight weeks.Riordan added: "We should be winning games at home, especially after dominating for so long."I enjoyed the goal. I put it through the guy's (Grant Munro) legs and just slotted it past the goalie. But I missed a penalty, so I'm disappointed with that."Rooney, however, was delighted with his fifth goal of the season as Terry Butcher's men showed their battling qualities to earn a draw.The Irishman netted 26 last term on his way to helping Caley Thistle win the First Division and feels the entire side carry a goal threat.Rooney, who also struck the post and was denied by a point-blank save from Mark Brown, felt the game was more balanced than Riordan claimed.He said: "I had a chance in the first half when the keeper made a good save, I hit the post and we had a couple of other chances."They also missed a penalty but it was a fairly even enough game. We could have taken three points at the end and they could have had it as well."A lot of the lads have SPL experience but everyone is just enjoying being back up, looking forward to every game really."The main thing is we got something out of the game. We are creating chances and there are goals throughout the team."

Source: Team_Talk