The Lawyers will argue that it was a UEFA ruling that put their client in a position, through no fault of his own, that will see him being unemployed for two and a half months when a job is available to him. The UEFA directive that restricts clubs from any transfer activity except in the pre-season and January windows has failed to take into consideration long term contracts that were made by young players under 19 years of age that would see them available prior to these windows, as in the Riordan case.
A spokesman said "As Derek had signed as a 5 year contract as a youngster before the new UEFA Directive was instigated, it is no fault of his that he should lose out financially. UEFA should take responsibility for their decisions and grant Derek a special disposition to continue working from October. We have a good case for going to the European Court of Justice to seek compensation"
Riordan could lose as much as 200,000 pounds for the time he is un-employable and is not happy that his new career with Celtic is put on hold until January.
UEFA could grant the disposition rather than go to the European Court and have another Bosman type situation to deal with as well as paying the compensation that would be due.
Celtic signed the explosive Scotland internationalist on a Bosman after he had turned down offers from Cardiff City and Lokomotiv Moscow and spurned an offer from Glasgow Rangers Chairman, David Murray in the last transfer window in January. Riordan and his family are all die hard Celtic fans, and the boy has realised his dreams of pulling on the famous green and white hoops.
When Celtic signed Riordan at the beginning of May they followed SPL rules to the letter, and although manager Gordon Strachan would not make any comment it is widely known that he sympathy with Derek's position and is eager to have him in the squad.
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