What's the Rush.......

[GORDONSMITH7]

Tony's advice tae Derek ..

Look to goal legend Rush, Mowbray tells Riordan

DARREN JOHNSTONE


TONY Mowbray has told Derek Riordan to follow Ian Rush's example if he is to play at the highest level.

The Hibs manager has been critical of Riordan's work ethic in recent weeks and has punished the player by leaving him out of his side's starting 11. The striker has won plaudits for his goal scoring but Mowbray is trying to teach the youngster to become a more rounded player.


Mowbray, who played for Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town, regularly locked horns with Rush during the great Welsh striker's Liverpool heyday.

He believes Riordan, who scored twice in the 2-1 win over Ayr in the CIS Insurance Cup on Wednesday, needs to learn from Rush if he is to make it to the highest level.

Speaking ahead of his side's trip to Motherwell, Mowbray said: "Derek did what he does best against Ayr, he scored goals. I have never questioned that. I know if Derek is in the team and we create chances, invariably he will hit the target and score goals. All I'm trying to make him aware of is the standards required to play on another level.

"It's not enough just to stand and smash the ball in. It's terrific to have that ability but it is a team game. Ian Rush was the best striker and player I played against because when I had the ball, he was like a cat. He was waiting for you to have one touch too many and he would take it off you.

"He would let you think you are comfortable and then bang, he is right in your face tackling you and you end up just kicking it away. Yet, when he had the ball, he was devastating."

The manager is trying to instil a stronger work ethic in Riordan and admits he has already seen a change in the Edinburgh-born player, who has expressed a desire to play on a higher level, on the training field.

Mowbray added: "I think you have a responsibility to yourself to be the best you can. If he ever wants to be the player of the year, English player of the year, the first pick in the Scotland team or whatever that next level is, he has to find those extra bits to his game.

"The good thing about Derek is that he is conscientious, I have watched him in training and I'm sure he is trying to add that."

Mowbray, meanwhile, body-swerved questions yesterday regarding the future of captain Gary Caldwell after it was reported Celtic are preparing to bid for the player in January.

"Gary's contract expires at the end of the season," Mowbray said. "Gary is fully aware of our contractual situation with him and his options. It's the middle of September and I thought it was a nothing story."

Motherwell manager Terry Butcher goes into the game in confident mood after last week's 5-0 thumping of Falkirk. He said: "Hibs have a very good squad and Hibs-Motherwell matches are very exciting and there's always goals at Fir Park.

"We're on a three-match winning streak but that's after a three-match losing streak in the SPL so we know how easy it is to get back on that slippery slope of losing games."

BIG G