Derek Riordan relishing big European nights

DEREK Riordan last night brushed aside speculation over his future at Hibernian and his ongoing fine dispute with the club to speak of his excitement at the club's return to Europe next season.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a possible move away from Easter Road this summer as his contract enters its final year, with English outfits QPR and Derby County, as well as Nuremberg in Germany and clubs in the Far East, said to be on his trail. However, after finally securing fourth spot with a final-day victory over Dundee United, he is ignoring the possibility of leaving his boyhood heroes as he eyes a big night in Europe.

The former Celtic player, who scored Hibs' only goal in a 5-1 defeat on their last foray into the Uefa Cup against Dnipro in 2005, said: "I'm delighted we have qualified for Europe. Obviously it's good for the players and it should be brilliant for the fans, it should be a good time for them.

"After the Dundee United game there was a sense of relief in the squad. We went through that wee blip but luckily enough we got the victory and it got us into Europe.

"I'd love to get a big club and I think the fans would like that. Liverpool are my English team and it would be brilliant to play against them.

"It was tough the last time against Dnipro. I equalised – my biggest European highlight – but they scored straight away and ended up scoring another three goals. It was hard for us to take but we'll just look forward to it again."