Hibs Reject Celtics Riordan Bid

Hibs reject Celtic's Riordan bid

Riordan (left) was the SPL's Young Player of the Year
Hibernian have rejected an undisclosed bid from Celtic for striker Derek Riordan, BBC Sport understands.
The Edinburgh club have made it known the 22-year-old is for sale after talks on a contract extension broke down.

But, while not naming those interested, manager Tony Mowbray admitted: "We have had snippets of interest from a couple of clubs.

"They've tried to sound us out and we've talked some sort of figures, but they have been dismissed out of hand."

Mowbray also rejected reports that he might be willing to swap midfielder Stephen Glass for Dundee United's out-of-favour defender, David McCracken.

And he insisted that Riordan would remain at Easter Road until a club meets his club's valuation. We have to balance Derek's worth against him continuing to score goals for us

Hibs manager Tony Mowbray

"There has been interest, as you would expect for a young boy who has scored great goals over two seasons, he's proved he isn't a one-season wonder," he told the Edinburgh Evening News.

"We have to balance Derek's worth against him continuing to score goals for us and, hopefully, securing another great finish next season." Hibernian striker Derek Riordan could be a Celtic player next season.

Riordan, who still has 18 months left on his current contract, scored 23 goals this season and is in the Scotland squad, attracting the interest of new Celtic manager Gordon Strachan.

Celtic could up their bid for Riordan if Strachan fails to sign Craig Bellamy from Newcastle United.

Bellamy was a success on loan to Celtic for the second half of the season and Strachan has already received indications that he would be interested in remaining in Glasgow.

Mowbray, meanwhile, does not want to risk losing Riordan for nothing in December 2006.

Hibs are certain to lose captain Ian Murray this summer when his contract runs out, with the versatile midfielder expected to join Rangers.

"We don't want to get into the same situation as we have with Ian," added the manager.

"Rod Petrie (Hibernian chairman) tells me he has been talking to Derek and his agent for the last 18 months and we have certainly been talking since I arrived at the club.

"We try to be fair. I am a believer in having a wage structure and, if your talent warrants it, then you get top dollar.

"But if you start stretching that structure then every agent is telling you his player is the best and, before you know it, you are spending far too much money.

"We have reached our financial ceiling with Derek. He was made an offer which would have made him one of the top two or three earners at the club.

"I've told him we'd love the situation to be resolved with him staying here, where we believe he can continue his football education."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/4575821.stm