DEREK RIORDAN will be on the move very shortly - but not away from Parkhead.

Instead, the man recruited from Hibs in the summer for £150,000 can finally expect to receive his call-up papers to the Celtic starting line-up.

It has been a difficult five months for Riordan, with more sightings of Lord Lucan reported than of the 23-year-old midfielder-cum-striker.

Just two CIS Cup-ties and four SPL sub appearances - two in the last week - are the sum total of his involvement.

This lack of opportunities for a man accustomed to starting every week and scoring 20 goals per season has fuelled speculation Riordan will look to find an escape tunnel in January.

But manager Gordon Strachan is in constant dialogue with the player and is quick to shoot down any such notion.

"To be fair to Derek, his attitude through all this has been first class," he said. "I've been speaking to him non-stop because I felt he had to be told about the circumstances. And he understands it."

But does Riordan still believe he has taken the correct road at this crossroads in his career?

"Yes, he does," said Strachan confidently, before citing the daily confirmation he believes supports this. "I can't ask any more than he's giving in training. He's not had a chance yet - and it has to come soon."

The Parkhead boss has told Riordan his patience is about to be rewarded, and not just with the kind of late substitute appearance he made against Dundee United on Tuesday.

During the 30 minutes he was on the field trying to help Celtic win a game in which they had been 2-0 down, Riordan could have become an instant hero after half-a-season of trying.

Keeper Derek Stillie made two great saves to deny him, which disappointed Strachan as much as it did the player as the manager believes a goal would ignite the Bhoy so desperate to spark his Hoops career.

STRACHAN explained: "Derek had three chances against United. One was a free-kick, and he did well to get it as close as he did. The other two the keeper managed to save, the second on to the post.

"I think getting a goal would make all the difference to Derek's confidence. It might be his time is coming soon because there are so many games and he does give a scoring threat.

"He's not as quick as Aiden McGeady, who plays the left midfield position Derek is after, or some of the others here. He is not as strong as some. But, then again, strength does not make you a player."

With 50 SPL goals before joining the champions, Riordan is entitled to ask why he has not been given a run in a side which is struggling to find the net.

But he was not bought as a quick fix. And it must not be forgotten that, under the terms of his original Bosman signing, he was not due to report for duty at Parkhead until he turns 24 on January 16.

A cash offer to Hibs allowed this arrival to be advanced. So, does Strachan believe Riordan's bonus months at the club have been used to let him find his feet and enhance his football education?

"I don't think he has had to learn a lot," replied Strachan.

"But I do think he has had to get used to being a Celtic player and what responsibilities come with that in terms of when you go out on to the pitch.

"Derek is unfortunate Aiden and Shaun Maloney have shared that left midfield position.

"One was last season's Scotland Player of the Year and the other is a young man who, in the first part of this season, was doing so well he won the Player of the Month award a couple of times.

"So that has been unfortunate for Derek, and he has had to deal with all of that."

It's unfortunate for Riordan he is a slightly-built attacking midfielder and not a hulking big defender, or else he would surely walk straight into the side at the moment, so depleted are Celtic of men who can operate at the back.

The situation became even more acute on Tuesday when Bobo Balde joined the crocks after breaking the fibula in his right leg while stretching to make a simple clearance.

That forced Strachan into an early substitution, teenager Darren O'Dea replacing the Guinean. The Dubliner will retain his place on Saturday against Motherwell, and again when Kilmarnock first foot Celtic on January 2, unless a new signing can be made in time for that opening fixture of 2007.

As the transfer window inches open, it has certainly focused Strachan's mind on finding new defenders.

He said: "I can't explain why it should be one department that is so badly hit by injuries. But it does happen.

"We've got three good players missing in Gary Caldwell, Mark Wilson and now Bobo. That's a lot to take in one area, and we have to try and deal with that.

"Everyone has to deal with injuries at some point, and it is our turn at the moment. But we've given ourselves a cushion in the league, which is handy."

However, as Dundee United proved, no-one is going to give Celtic an easy ride as they turn for home in the title race.

And every one of Strachan's players will have to be prepared to step into the breach, just as Steven McManus did against the men from Tannadice.

The stand-in captain ignored the pain from his own groin injury, and adapted to playing on the right of the defence to accommodate O'Dea.

That's the kind of attitude which impresses Strachan, who said: "In the circumstances, the responsibility had to go on the older one rather than the younger one. Mick accepts that.

"And I thought Darren did well playing alongside Mick. I've no worries about playing him."

Nevertheless, the opening of a window has never been better timed, and Strachan is ready to take full advantage, although knowing the likes of Riordan is finally ready to shine means that adding to the strength of his squad is a job he knows has already begun.