Departing Hibs star Riordan aims for England

Hibs striker Derek Riordan is awaiting an offer from England and looks set to spurn advances from the United States, Turkey and Russia.

Houston Dynamo remain dogged in their pursuit of the 28-year-old hitman, who has also been the subject of inquiries from Turkish and Russian outfits, reported to be Eskisehirspor and Volga Ulyanovsk.

A spokesman for Riordan today quashed recent rumours that Watford and Blackburn Rovers are interested in the player but revealed last season's Easter Road top scorer would prefer to flit south of the Border rather than move abroad.

"He has plenty time to get fixed up. He would like to try England – with anybody, Championship upwards," said the spokesman. "He needs a change. He's played that many times against SPL clubs, he needs a freshness, a challenge. He's got a family now, so he's got to earn."

Riordan is preparing to go on holiday, most likely abroad, as his future is thrashed out. During his break, he is likely to remain in the sights of Houston Dynamo, the MLS side who are desperate to land the Edinburgh-born striker. "They're like a dog with a bone – they won't go away," said the spokesman of the outfit's interest in the player. Riordan has so far rejected offers from the Texas club but may find a more lucrative contract on offer from European clubs. Turkish Super Liga side Eskisehirspor and Russian Premier team Volga find the former Scotland international an appealing prospect for a number of reasons.

"They want him because a) his wages are relatively low, b) there would be no transfer fee, and also because he's a player with great technical ability," said the player's spokesman."

Meanwhile, Hibs have reshuffled their coaching staff with two long-term servants to the club winning a promotion. Alistair Stevenson, the head of youth coaching, has been part of the first team's backroom staff since Colin Calderwood's arrival and has been appointed to a key role alongside the manager, that of first team development coach. Stevenson will help facilitate the progression of players from the club's academy to the top team. Within the academy, James McDonaugh has been announced as the new head of coaching. As part of his remit, McDonaugh will take responsibility for the under-19 squad from next season.