Would Derek Riordan leave Hibs for Blackpool?

At the moment we are saying no…but who knows.

Right, it hasn’t broken on any of the major football gossip sites but it’s Monday night, the first day of the working week is over and we’re lazily browsing all the football sites..because its about the only thing our brain can do right!

So…the line is “reports suggest” that Blackpool are after Derek Riordan and could be available for £400,000.

Riordan has been in fine goal scoring form for Hibs in Holland on their pre-season tour and with a Europa League qualifier this Thursday night; Riordan is likely to have more than a transfer on his mind.

You get the impression that Riordan respects Hibs for bringing him back from Celtic and giving him the chance to play top team football every week again. You also think that he has done well under John Hughes, a boss who likes to get his attacking players involved in the game at all times.

Add that to the fact that the player became a dad last week and we can’t see him being for the off anytime soon.

No matter what he does in the game, Riordan is going to have the tag of a “daft laddie” hanging over him but he has built in more consistency to his game. Riordan may not be the sort of player who would get a guaranteed start for the national team but if he can maintain a good level of form, he can definitely be an asset to the squad.

All of they reasons would make us think that Riordan will be staying where he is. Then again, there is always another side to consider.

As for Blackpool, the challenge of playing in the English Premier League is a major draw. That and the Pleasure Beach!

Many pundits are predicting that the seaside club will come straight back down but they are likely to have a great season regardless of where they finish and they appear to be building for the future.

This means a player who moves now may be back in the Championship next season but they will then be playing for a club equipped for promotion and will have a years experience of playing English top flight football behind them.

A lot of high profile Scottish players have moved to England since January but have Middlesbrough got what it takes to get out of the Championship? We’re not convinced they will. This means Riordan could be a step ahead of former team-mates Kevin Thomson, Scott McDonald and Stephen McManus.

You also have to consider the fact that Charlie Adam is the big man at Blackpool, the former Rangers man being an absolutely indispensible part of Ian Holloway’s squad. This may have convinced Hollway to return to Scotland for more talent and Riordan could well be thinking if Charlie Adams can be a star there….what is there to stop him?

We’re not sure of what level of wages Blackpool are offering, last season it appeared to be a reasonably low basic wage but bonuses for promotion rocketed the end of season take home pay to great heights. Being in the top flight will likely see a bit more money for the players, and more than Hibs would offer….but is it enough for Derek Riordan to uproot himself and his family?

Okay, we’ve argued both sides and there are reasons for both decisions being taken…..if it ever comes to the situation where Blackpool bid for a player.

As we said, it was listed as “reports suggest” but if the reports we produce at work are anything to go by, you shouldn’t believe everything you read in them!

If a bid comes in, should Deeks go?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.