McGhee signs up former Celt

Mark McGhee has given former Celt Derek Riordan a three month contract with Bristol Rovers.

Riordan has been without a club since the end of last season when a short term deal with St Johnstone came to an end.

Since then he has been linked with moves to Dundee, Ross County and Kilmarnock but has now decided to try his luck with the League Two side.

McGhee told the Rovers  website: “We are well aware of Derek’s past, however the lad has convinced me that not only does he feel strongly that he is innocent of the recent charges, but that he is looking for a way out of the cycle.

“He sees a move to Bristol Rovers as an opportunity to resurrect his career and experience football in a league he hasn’t played in before.

“This is a boy with a record of scoring goals and making goals and he is a very skilled player.”

Riordan joined Celtic in 2006 from Hibs but failed to hit it off with Gordon Strachan. After returning to Hibs two years later he had a brief spell in China with  Shaanxi Chanba before returning to Scotland.

Most recently he has been charged with anti-gay comments following a nightclub incident in Edinburgh where he is subject to a long term ban.

Riordan will team up with former Celtic defender Adam Virgo as McGhee attempts to steer the club away from the foot of the table after taking charge of the club in January.

Tomorrow Rovers are away to Exeter City on league duty.