 Derek Riordan has not had much chance to excite Celtic fans |
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says he does not play Derek Riordan up front because the former Hibernian player is not comfortable there. Riordan scored 43 goals in the last two seasons for Hibs but has started just three Scottish Premier League games since moving to Glasgow.
"It's not me, Derek favours the left-hand side," explained Strachan.
"I agree when people say 'try him as a centre-forward', but Deek prefers playing left midfield."
Celtic have lacked a regular goalscorer this season, with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Craig Beattie troubled by persistent injuries.
Kenny Miller and Maciej Zurawski on just 12 SPL goals between them.
 | If I put Riordan in instead of Nakamura, you're off your head Celtic manager Gordon Strachan |
But Aiden McGeady has been the regular starter on the left, with Shunsuke Nakamura on the other side.
"He's not comfortable as a striker," said Strachan, who stressed that Riordan still had a future with Celtic.
"On the right-hand side, you have probably got the player of the year for the last two years.
"On the left, it might be the young player of the year. So it's not easy.
"If I put Riordan in instead of Nakamura, you're off your head; take Aiden out, you're off your head; leave Maciej out, you're off your head. So basically, I'm off my head."
Celtic will clinch the title this weekend if they beat Motherwell and Rangers lose at St Mirren.
But they are stumbling over the finishing line after bagging just one point, and one goal, in three games.
"I'm sure the strikers would like to score more," said Strachan.
"But, taking Kenny out the equation, the other three have missed 60 games between them.
"They have never really got going and Kenny has had to bear the brunt of all the games."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 