Former Celtic striker, Derek Riordan has stated that the capture of Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Daniel Podence this summer would be a statement from the Hoops. Riordan played for the club between 2006-08 and was part of a group that won the SPL and went the distance over 38 games, despite his very limited playing time it must be said.
Nonetheless, Riordan has been in and around one of Scottish football’s big two and knows what it takes to get over the line and the type of quality options you need to go the distance throughout a long campaign. In his day, Celtic had wide men like Shunsuke Nakamura and Aiden McGeady who were different class from the club and delivered consecutively and consistently.
Riordan thinks that Podence could be that kind of hit if Celtic were to snag the Portugal international this transfer window. However the ex-Hibs man also caveated his sentiments by saying it all comes down to the wages and finance of any possible deal, as ever the case. “Podence would be a brilliant signing. I think he would be really good in Scotland,” he said via Glasgow Live. “I don’t think they need Fraser. They’ve already got Liel Abada out on the right side. (Fraser) is an Abada-type player but I think Podence is excellent.
“I think he’s decent, he’s great on the ball and tricky. He can play in the hole and can also cut in from the outside. I just don’t know what type of salary he will be on at Wolves.”
Having watched the first couple of games of the new cinch Premiership, our old forward reckons that Celtic are still looking the team to beat for the title and that (the)Rangers haven’t really progressed under Mick Beale. He added: “I caught the end of the Celtic game on Sunday (vs Aberdeen). I still think they are stronger than (the)Rangers. It will take a wee bit of time for all the players to bed into how Brendan Rodgers wants them to play.
“(The)Rangers are already behind after a bad result at Killie. You can’t afford to do that when you are at the Old Firm. The fans don’t accept that. You need to win. That is the pressure of playing at Celtic or theRangers. I fancy Celtic (to win it). From what I have seen of (the)Rangers I don’t think there is much progress in my eyes.
“Looking at it from a football fan I don’t think they are as strong as Celtic. I think Celtic have a lot more overall strength.”
Paul Gillespie
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