Derek Riordan - in trouble again

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2568371/Derek-Riordan-arrested-for-a-breach-of-the-peace.html

This is the news that Hibs star Derek Riordan was arrested on Saturday night, after committing a breach of the peace following the refusal of door staff to admit him to Garibaldis club on Hanover Street in Edinburgh, despite Garibaldis not actually being part of the "Unite" group of clubs in the City that have collectively banned Riordan from their premises.

For a start, the Sun story, linked above, is typical sensationalist bollocks, but there is no denying that it's about time Deek learned when to keep his mouth shut - he's 26 years old, and really should have realised by now that when the Police become involved, he's fighting a losing battle. Much of this is, however, due to the fact that he is Derek Riordan, and his reputation goes before him in situations like these. People, including PCs, expect trouble when they see him outside a nightclub, and will react far less sympathetically than they would to the average man in the same situation, particularly when there's the chance of getting your name and picture in the newspapers, as Garibaldis have managed today.

I have some sympathy for Riordan, as it must be a pain to be unable to go out with your mates, particularly in your home city. I also think he is victimised to some extent when it comes to things like this, but there is only so much sympathy one can have for a 26 yeard old man, earning very good money, who is meant to be a role model for Hibs-supporting kids everywhere (and make no mistake, the numbers of "Deek" and "Riordan" Hibs strips suggest that there are thousands who idolise him), who just keeps banging his head off the same closed door. Hopefully this will be the last time he gets involved in something like this, as news items such as these detract from the things that should be remembered about Derek Riordan - his goals!