Derek Riordan

He was good, but he wasn't that good.

 

He could have been though, that's my point mate. If he had the work ethic, he was that good without trying, him with an attitude like Dembele's and a manager like Rodgers guiding him? He could have been something special.

Instead he was just a * waster.

 

Definitely could have made so much more of his career. Legend, though?

He was a natural in front of goal, and Strachan was quoted on several occasions as saying he was the best finisher at Celtic.

He was lazy, rake thin and had a reputation for being unprofessional and a bit of a bad egg. He's never settled anywhere apart from Hibs, and has played about 20 games in the last 6-7 years.

He wasted a talent most people would die for.

 

Probably still true though, especially if you are under 30. I'd say he's the most talented technically from Scotland in my time as well. He had natural talent, 2 good feet, shooting, crossing and passing all excellent and a nice touch on the ball. He should have been a better player than the likes of Snodgrass, Maloney, McFadden, Naismith etc

 

Remember Strachan saying he was the best finisher at the club.

 

He could have been mate, he was a gifted footballer and could do some incredible things. He was young when he was here, all hypothetical but if he stayed like Broony did and didn't have that attitude? Definitely could have been for me.

Guy is a complete and utter * and your last sentence sums him up.

 

McFadden is another one who should have done more with the talent he had. What happened there? He should still be playing.

Maloney, too. Injuries did for him, though, his attitude was first class.

Snodgrass might have gone that way, but he seemed to get his head screwed on and turn it around.

Naismith is by far the least naturally talented of that list, but he's had as good a career as any of them.

 

If he had Brown's athleticism and attitude, he'd have been a key player for Celtic and Scotland. But legend?

 

Aye, he was what, 22/23 at us? Was more than capable of scoring over 20 odd a season, could have been here for 10 years etc. was capable of some astonishing goals.

All hypothetical but if he had the right attitude, he could have been.

 

Could have been, he had more talent than Stokes I think, especially shooting and if he even just was in the body of Griffiths could have scored 30 a season for years playing on the left or off a striker.

Him and McCourt had the natural ability to have been good EPL level players but ended up Hibs class players as they had the fitness levels and work-rate of Scottish 4th tier players.

 

I see both of your points, but we'll have to agree to disagree.

He's had the career he was always going to have.

 

Obviously. We're saying if he had the right attitude. Which he didn't. He put zero effort into his career.

 

True, wonder what causes good naturally talented players to end up quite pish just through lack or work-rate or desire. A lot of them are probably just stupid and they think they are the bees knees, like Riordan I imagine was the best player he knew since he was at Primary School he must have just thought he was always going to be a player as he was better than everyone he ever came up against for 10 years as a boy and that he didnt have to work as hard as other players.

 

I know what you're saying. I understand your hypothetical situation.

He had talent, but the talent for us to (potentially) label him a legend? I don't see it.

 

Fair enough. Do you not think with the head screwed on he would have been capable of 20 odd goals a season?

 

I have to say, I've always been pretty interested in the 'flawed genius' types. People with *-given talent who just don't seem to be able to cope with it.

 

He would probably have still scored 20 a season for us even just with the pish fitness and that he had lol in his first season with us he scored 7 goals in 21 games and he only started 10 games.

 

Aye, he was more than capable. * was capable of some * sublime goals as well.

That was him with zero effort, hypothetical as * but imagine him with the drive and professionalism of somebody like Henrik Larsson?

 

* Riordan.

Ivan Sproule was the man