Hibernian's Derek Riordan set to lose captaincy
Hibernian striker Derek Riordan looks set to lose the captain’s armband.
The Scotland cap had been given the responsibility of skippering the side by new manager Colin Calderwood for the 1-0 Scottish Premier League loss to Dundee United on 30 October.
Riordan kept hold of the armband for the visit of city rivals Heart of Midlothian on Sunday, 7 November — a game which Hibs lost 2-0. However, the 27-year-old appeared to ignore his leadership responsibilities when he committed a reckless tackle in the dying
minutes of the game against Hearts midfielder Rudi Skacel that saw him sent off.
Skacel only narrowly avoided a serious injury in the tackle that connected just below the knee with Riordan’s studs showing. As a result, Calderwood said that Riordan will be disciplined.
Hibs will next play SPL leaders Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday. With Riordan suspended for that game, Calderwood will be forced to name a new captain, but the manager also hinted that he could reassess the issue of who will be the club’s captain on a long-term
basis.
'Tackle was pointless'
Calderwood told reporters that: "It's important that emotion doesn't overtake the situation. You have to finish with 11 men. I don't feel let down by Derek's tackle but it was pointless because it came at the end of the game.
"Obviously disciplinary action will be taken. I'll have to rethink the captaincy for Wednesday because Derek is suspended but longer term I'll think about that on Thursday."
Hibs were condemned to defeat in the first Edinburgh derby of the season following an impressive solo goal by Hearts winger David Templeton. The 21-year-old also had a key role to play in the second goal of the match, as he set up Stephen Elliot to sweep the
ball home from close range.
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