BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
EDINBURGH CITY boss Gary Jardine has described the perception of Derek Riordan as a troublemaker as “crazy” after insisting the former Hibs and Celtic striker can make a pivotal contribution to the capital club.
Riordan, 34, has joined the Citizens until the end of the season as he mounts his latest attempt at a comeback, having not played a competitive game since an outing for York City in April 2016.
Jardine firmly believes he is the right man to bolster one of the least potent attacking units in British football and laughed off any suggestion that Riordan could be a disruptive influence, despite the Scotland internationalist courting controversy during a checkered career.
Jardine has been involved in Edinburgh football for 13 years as a player, coach, then manager of City, and also grew up in the same Pilton area of the capital as Riordan – so he knows the character well and is certain he will be an asset to the group.
He said: “Honestly, some of the stuff that gets said about Derek is just crazy and I find it disappointing.
“He should have a had a chance to keep playing in Scotland well before now. He is a fantastic lad and a good person, and it’ll be good for him to get back involved at City.
“I’ve known him since he was a young lad and seen him progress, and I know how he can play.
“Derek brings real experience. He trained with us earlier in the years and I was impressed throughout the session; the way he was talking and coaching players through.
“It doesn’t matter to us that he hasn’t played for a long time. It is no secret we have found goals hard to come by and he brings goals and quality to the side between now and the end of the season. It can only be good for us.”
