Derek Riordan signs for East Fife

Derek Riordan's had been on trial with East Fife. Picture: JP

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East Fife player/manager Gary Naysmith has been successful in his pursuit of former Hibs, Celtic and Scotland striker Derek Riordan, with the player agreeing to join the Bayview side until the end of the season.

Riordan has enjoyed a three-game trial period with the Fifers and scored his second goal of that spell in Tuesday night’s 5-3 win at Elgin City in League 2. Naysmith has now persuaded the 32-year-old to stay and help his side in their fight for promotion.

A deal had been offered earlier this week, with Riordan finally getting round to completing the paperwork yesterday. East Fife are hoping that his registration will be in place for this Saturday’s game at Hampden against Queen’s Park.

Naysmith said: “Derek has enjoyed being here and the boys have been great with him. He has been great with the boys and helped Nathan Austin score four times up at Elgin. I am delighted that we have convinced him to stay with us.”

A statement posted on the East Fife website read: “We are pleased to announce that Derek Riordan has agreed terms with the club subject to receiving SFA approval.”

Riordan has endured something of a chequered career since leaving Hibernian for the second time in 2011. He moved to China to play for Shaanxi Chanba but failed to settle and returned home after less than a season. Short spells followed at St Johnstone, Bristol Rovers, Alloa Athletic and Brechin City but Riordan struggled to recapture the former he had shown during two successful spells with Hibs.

He has rediscovered his goalscoring touch with East Fife, grabbing a late winner in last Saturday’s game against Annan Athletic before finding the net again in Tuesday’s victory at Borough Briggs.