Pat Stanton says loss of Liam Miller and Derek Riordan should not derail Hibs

HIBERNIAN legend Pat Stanton insists he is not overly-concerned by the departures of experienced pair Derek Riordan and Liam Miller following the announcement the latter had agreed to join Perth Glory on a two-year deal.

Riordan had already expressed his intention to seek a fresh challenge elsewhere, but Miller's exit for the Australian A-League will come as a huge blow to manager Colin Calderwood, who had expressed a desire to hang on to the Republic of Ireland cap.

However, the out-of-contract former Celtic and Manchester United midfielder, who had stated following talks towards the end of the season that he was hoping to remain at Easter Road, yesterday joined Riordan in seeking pastures new with the team managed by ex-Rangers stalwart Ian Ferguson.

He said: "I'm thrilled to be heading to Perth. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about the city of Perth but football is the most important thing. Perth Glory is a proud club with a great history and I'm looking forward to the new challenge when I join Ian Ferguson and my new team-mates."

Miller was, along with Anthony Stokes, a 'marquee' signing for John Hughes two summers ago and was a big hit during his first season with the club.

However, the 30-year-old failed to hit the same heights in the campaign just gone as Hibs flirted with relegation and struggled to their tenth-place finish.

And that under-achievement lies behind Stanton's assertion that the club should not lament the departures of either Miller or Riordan - if suitable replacements can be found. He said: "It's not a big worry for me at all. Obviously they are both good players and if Derek Riordan does sign for someone else, the team will miss his goals because he certainly produced goals for the Hibs. But if you go back to last season's performances and where the team finished in the league, and you need any proof the team needs new players, then that is the proof.

"You give the players the benefit of the doubt, and they got a lift from the new players coming in in January, but they then reverted back to what they were before.

"Do you stay with the same players and risk having that kind of season again? Or do you say 'okay, that's it, we freshen things up'. You can only go by what you see and the performances. People say 'we can do better' but after a while that wears a bit thin. The players have had their opportunity, maybe more than their opportunity, and the only conclusion is they have to change it."

With just Ivan Sproule brought in so far, it remains to be seen who Calderwood will place his faith in for the hoped-for revival on the pitch. But Stanton admits that the hat-trick of signings already made by city rivals Hearts has put pressure on Calderwood to get things right in the transfer market in the coming weeks.He added: "I think the fact that Hearts are going out and signing players, and strengthening a team that finished well up the league, is difficult for the Hibs fans to watch. The manager will be well aware of where Hearts are and that he'll have to get things as right as he can himself. You can understand the supporters wondering what the club is going to be doing, and we are all anxious, but we have to be patient and put trust in the manager to get things right."

Meanwhile, Ferguson, who also has ex-St Mirren midfielder Steven McGarry in his squad for the coming season, has expressed his delight at landing a player of Miller's calibre. He said: "Liam brings a lot of experience to the club and he's played at a number of top clubs."