Derek Riordan has admitted Gordon Strachan convinced him to sign for Celtic.
Celtic new boy Derek Riordan has admitted Gordon Strachan convinced him to sign for the club.The SPL champions clinched a surprise deal for the Hibernian star last weekend by agreeing a pre-contract with Riordan.
Riordan will join Celtic in January after his contract at Easter Road expires and he is excited at the prospect of playing for the Scottish giants.
"I only found about Celtic's interest on Friday. My agent, Jim McArthur, informed Hibs that morning," Riordan told the Daily Record.
"Celtic are a massive club and they just made it clear they wanted to sign me. They have 53,000 season ticket-holders and that is frightening in itself.
"The way Celtic went for it and clinched the deal was impressive.
"I spoke with Peter Lawwell and Gordon Strachan and they made it clear they wanted me so much there was no way I would leave Celtic Park without committing my future to the club.
"Gordon Strachan was very impressive. He told me where he envisaged me playing and how much he rated me.
"He came across as streetwise and spoke with me not like he was my boss but on the same level and that was one of the things that greatly impressed me about him. He also said that he couldn't guarantee first-team football to any player but as soon as I spoke with him and Peter Lawwell my mind was more or less made up."
Riordan also hopes his move to Celtic will enhance his chances of becoming a regular in the Scotland side.
"If I play regularly for Celtic and score goals then hopefully that will help me get back into the Scotland set-up," added Riordan.
"I still harbour ambitions on the international front and I believe the opportunity will be there to get among the goals at club level and hopefully that will help me with regards to being picked again for Scotland."
