2 May 2006

Skysports.com understand Rangers are ready to rekindle their interest in Hibernian ace Derek Riordan.

Rangers have held a long-term interest in the Scottish international and tried to sign him during the last transfer window.

However, no deal could be done and Riordan stayed at Easter Road.

Riordan's future at Hibs looks far from sure with his current contract expiring in October, meaning he could leave for nothing then.

Crystal Palace and Kaiserslautern are also monitoring Riordan's position at Hibs after sending scouts to watch him in action this season.

Hibs could decide to sell Riordan in the summer rather than risk losing him for nothing when his contract expires.

Rangers' interest in Riordan has been questioned because of the change of management at Ibrox for next season.

However, it is believed that incoming Gers boss Paul Le Guen is a big admirer of Riordan and is ready to bring him to the club as he begins his plans for rebuilding the squad at Ibrox. Source - Sky Sports

2 February 2006

A WAR of words has erupted between Rangers and Hibs over their failed transfer negotiations for Derek Riordan.

An already strained relationship between Easter Road and Ibrox has deteriorated drastically after the collapse of Riordan's move to Rangers on Tuesday.

Hibs are angry at the suggestions they turned down £475,000 for the 23-year-old. They don't dispute the figure, but claim Rangers wanted to pay it over three years.
Gers boss Alex McLeish, on the other hand, today gave the impression Hibs had changed their demands over Riordan.

It is believed Rangers offered £300,000 down, a further £100,000 in a year, plus £75,000 once Riordan had played 75 games, and a 20% sell-on clause.
Hibs wanted all the money up front, but Rangers refused to budge in a tense game of poker between rival chairmen Rod Petrie and David Murray, who already have a strained relationship. Source - EveningTimes

2 February 2006

RANGERS are pressing ahead to secure Derek Riordan on a pre-contract agreement.
Despite failing to land the 23-year-old in the transfer window, the Ibrox club are in pole position to sign the Hibs star for next season.
With Riordan keen to move to Ibrox, talks have continued in the past two days with his agent, Jim McArthur.

Clubs in the UK and abroad have expressed an interest in Riordan since the collapse of his Rangers transfer, but the player appears keen on staying in Scotland.

The only grey area is when he will actually be free to play for Rangers.Unlike most players whose deals expire in the summer, Riordan is contracted to Hibs until October 31, 2006. Should he run down that contract to its final day, he would be frozen out of football for two months before being able to join any new club from January 1, 2007.

However, Riordan has asked the Players' Union to explore the avenue of using an "exceptional circumstances" rule in place at the SFA which allows players to sign for other clubs outside of Fifa transfer windows.Riordan will argue that as he signed a five- year deal in 2001 - before the controversial transfer window system came into place - he should not be kept out of the game for November and December.

Players' Union boss Fraser Wishart confirmed: "Derek signed a five-year deal at Hibs when he was 18.
""Derek is prepared to let it run down, but then expects to be allowed to leave as soon as it expires.

"We don't think that is an unreasonable request so we have asked Fifa and our union partners for a definitive ruling on where Derek stands. It is a unique situation."
Rangers could, of course, offer Hibs a nominal fee to sign Riordan before the transfer window closes on August 31 as he would only have two months left on his deal.
However, relations are so strained between Ibrox and Easter Road that even a paltry sum would be grudged, or possibly not accepted. Source - EveningTimes

2 February 2006

Rangers remain favourites to sign Hibs striker Derek Riordan despite having a deadline day bid turned down

The 23-year-old will be a free agent at the end of October and is expected to leave Hibs either in the summer for a small fee or when his contract expires.

If it is the latter, Riordan may be unable to play for two months as any move would be outside the transfer window although special dispensation can be applied for.

Lokomotiv Moscow and Kaiserslautern are also keen on the Scotland international while Celtic have not yet given up hope of a deal. Source - FansFC