Deeks is deadlier after his Celtic hell

Sep 28 2008 By Euan Mclean

Premier League

PRODIGAL hitman Derek Riordan has returned to Hibs a better player despite his Celtic nightmare - insists the man who suffered a similar struggle at the Old Firm.

Ian Murray spent two years battling for a first-teamplace at Rangers after Alex McLeish signed him from Hibees in 2005, only for injury and managerial changes to wreck his big move.

Now the former Easter Road skipper is back at his first club and was delighted to see Deeks seal a return to Leith on transfer deadline day.

As Murray prepares to face his former club this afternoon he reckons he and Riordan are both stronger players for their Old Firm agony.

He said: "It didn't work out the way I'd have liked at Rangers but I have come back to Hibs a better player and I imagine Derek is the same.

"Towards the end at Celtic he wasn't involved with the first team whereas I was always there or thereabouts at Ibrox - but any experience, good or bad, at the Old Firm makes you stronger.

"Just working with top-class players every day in training raises your level. Derek will take a month or so to get match sharpness but his finishing is as good ever and his movement has improved since he left.

"I'm sure once he's up to full fitness he'll be a better player all round. His goal last week against Hamilton was typical - he's not blessed with great pace but has that extra yard upstairs in terms of reading the game.

"He's a bubbly character and settling in well although he's getting a bit of stick in the dressing-room about his weight after hardly playing last season.

"And we have a problem for our Christmas night out as he's from all nightclubs in Edinburgh!"

Murray admits it's no coincidence the boost from Riordan's return was quickly followed by an improvement in results after an awful start to the season piled pressure on boss Mixu Paatelainen.

Despite rumours that Mixu was ready to quit and the players had no confidence in his style, Murray insists the flak only brought the gaffer and squad closer.

He said: "Derek was probably the signing we needed to get the feelgood factor back at the club.

"The pressure on us has eased - but even in preseason when we were losing at Cowdenbeath and Clyde we knew we hadn't become a poor team overnight. We were trying new formations and didn't adjust well.

"It was always going to turn for us and the gaffer is great at instilling belief and passion to fire you up.

"The boys are impressed by the way he communicates with the players. And he's very protective of us - just look at his reaction when Nacho Novo went in late on Thierry Gathuessi at Ibrox last season."

One benefit of Murray's spell away was his view of Hibs' ground as a rival player.

He said: "The guys in the Rangers team said Easter Road was a horrible place to come and that's what you want. The fans can help massivelyby intimidating teams."