City target staying put
19 April 2007 13:19
Norwich City transfer target Derek Riordan will not be leaving Celtic in the summer according to the player's agent.
Canaries boss Peter Grant had identified the striker as a possible signing in the summer but agent Jim McArthur insisted his client is happy to stay at Parkhead after forcing his way into manager Gordon Strachan's strike-force.
Grant has been monitoring the 23-year-old's situation after Riordan was reportedly unhappy at being played out of position on the wing with Strachan insisting the player “wasn't comfortable” up front.
The speculation that the former Hibernian hit-man was looking for a move away from Glasgow intensified on the news that he had put his house up for sale.
However, after plundering six goals in only seven starts, Strachan now appears convinced in the former Hibernian man's goalscoring capabilities and McArthur said the striker will be staying at Celtic for the foreseeable future.
“He's playing, so it's all resolved at the moment. He's now playing up front and he's a lot happier - he'll be staying at Celtic.”
The news will come as a blow to manager Grant who saw the Scotland international as an ideal addition to his squad.
Earlier this season, the City boss said: “I like him and I would definitely be interested if Celtic said he was available. I have not made official contact with Gordon Strachan but I really liked him at Hibs.”
Grant will now have to turn his attention elsewhere as he looks to add some depth to a squad that has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks.
The biggest concern for Sunday's visit of Ipswich Town is Darren Huckerby, who hobbled out of the warm-up before the 3-0 defeat to Burnley with a back problem.
The 30-year-old is a major doubt to face Jim Magilton's side while there are also concerns over Dion Dublin and Lee Croft. Grant may be forced to play some of the academy's youngsters with the likes of Kris Renton and Bally Smart possibly making their home debuts.
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