Derek Riordan, so often an outcast at Celtic, has revealed Saturday’s reception when he entered the fray against Dundee United left him with ‘shivers down his spine’.
Easter Road stood to a man to applaud the player back to his boyhood heroes when he replaced Joe Keenan with half an hour left to play and Riordan was astonished at the reception.
‘I wasn’t that nervous but I had shivers down my spine when the crowd gave me that ovation. It gave me a lot of confidence. It felt as though I’d never been away,’ he told the Daily Record.
‘I’m delighted to be back playing and to feel wanted again. I always have friends and family watching Hibs games but I had loads of people looking for tickets today.
‘The fans know I’m a Hibs fan and I’m glad they’re delighted to see me back.
‘It’s brilliant to be back here and to be able to play in front of that crowd.
‘I’m a better player now than I was when I left here and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned about the defensive side of the game and I am more experienced.
‘I had ups and downs at Celtic – and they were mostly downs – but my confidence is always high when I play and I have more mental strength for the experience.’
‘I enjoyed it and now I just need to focus on my fitness and try to get into the team.’
Riordan rejoined the Hibees on transfer deadline day following his ill-fated spell in Glasgow’s East End where he fell completely out of the picture after a public falling with manager Gordon Strachan.
Celtic’s loss is very much Hibs gain.
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