Riordan held his nerve on big stage

HIBS kid Derek Riordan today revealed how his stomach was churning as he was summoned from the bench to make his debut in the white-hot atmosphere of an Edinburgh derby.

"I didn’t even know I’d be on the bench for the derby until my name was read out"

Although the 18-year-old looked perfectly calm as he replaced Ecuadorian veteran Eduardo Hurtado with 15 minutes remaining, inwardly he was a bag of nerves.

But they quickly disappeared as the youngster, a prolific scorer in Hibs’ Under-21 side, fired off a low shot which had Hearts goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie at full stretch as he turned it round the post.

And Riordan’s dream day was rounded off nicely as skipper John O’Neil rattled home a last-minute equaliser to maintain new boss Franck Sauzee’s incredible derby record, the French ace having never played in a losing side before facing Hearts for the first time as manager of Hibs.

Today Riordan, who signed a new five-year deal with Hibs before getting his first taste of Tennent’s Scottish Cup action in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Stranraer, described the past few days as the best of his fledgling career.

The former Craigroyston High School pupil said: "I didn’t even know I’d be on the bench for the derby at Tynecastle until the gaffer read out the substitutes following our pre-match meal.

"He didn’t make a big fuss about it, I just heard my name among those who would be on the bench. It came out of the blue even though I knew we were a wee bit short on strikers.

"I’ve been around the first-team squad for a few weeks now, but I’d never made it as far as the bench before.

"It was, I have to admit, a bit scary as it was the biggest crowd I’d ever played in front of and, of course, a derby match. I was warming up with Lyndon Andrews when I got the call and my stomach was knotted as I waited to go on.

"But once I was on I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found I was getting quite a lot of time on the ball and I actually thought I’d scored with that shot which also gave me a great deal of confidence.

"Seeing John’s shot go in was fantastic, a great feeling for all of us."

The derby saw Hibs finish the match with Riordan and his Under-21 strike pal Gary O’Connor, also just 18, up front in a partnership which dates back to their days at Under-11 level.

O’Connor had forced his way into the first-team plans towards the end of last season and after scoring the winner against former European Cup winners Marseilles in Hibs pre-season tour of France had become a regular member of the squad of 16 which stripped each Saturday.

But the derby in Gorgie was his first start for Hibs, a fact which delighted Riordan even though his 19th birthday on January 16 makes him the elder statesman of the partnership by a couple of months.

He said: "I wasn’t envious of Gary at all, in fact I was delighted for him. I think the fact that he is such a big lad counted in his favour and he’s done really brilliantly this season even though I’ve scored more goals - 29 in all to his 19 - so far.

"I think Gary and I work very well together. We started off playing for Granton Boys’ Club when we were 11 and were together until 14 when he moved on to Salvesen and I went to Hutchison Vale.

"We played against each other a few times but it all came together when we teamed up at Hibs again and it’s great we are now breaking into the first-team together. I’d imagine the next one for us will be to see who can get a goal for the big team first."

Riordan, who has played for Scotland at every level up to Under-19s so far, praised Easter Road coach Donald Park, now Sauzee’s assistant for the part he has played in seeing his career progress so rapidly.

He said: "Donald has looked after both Gary and I. He’s helped us a lot, he’s a brilliant coach who is now being helped by Malcolm Thomson and Ian Westwater.

"Making my debut, signing my new deal and being on the bench again against Dundee United, despite the final score in that game, and then playing in the cup has definitely made this the best period of my career."

Taken from the Scotsman