HIBS HAVE CALLED IN THE ARMY - and it is working, according to striker Derek Riordan!  Standing next to the 20-year-old, you have to be surprised at the slight build and even more so when you see the manner in which Riordan shrugs off challenges from powerful SPL defenders.  But Riordan revealed yesterday that appearances can be very deceptive, as he has put on 6lbs of pure muscle in the last 3 months, and that has played a large part in his recent rise from first-team fringe player to first-team regular.

Riordan took time out from opening a new shopping centre in Edinburgh yesterday to say: "The dietician has put me on a high-protein diet of fruit, chicken and meat and I have been working pretty hard in the gym, but I've put on 6lbs of muscle in three months - we have an Army guy in and he is helping me. The SPL is harder with bigger defenders such as Bobo Balde and Lorenzo Amoruso, so it helps to have more weight but I get away with it because of my pace."  The striker will be looking to further test his new-found body strength at Almondvale on Saturday as Hibs wrap up their away campaign for the season.  Bobby Williamson will be hoping to continue his excellent record of not having lost to the West Lothian side since taking charge at Easter Road, home and away wins earlier in the season being followed by Livi snatching a draw at Easter Road last month with late goals which effectively ended Hibs chances of finishing in the SPL's top six.

Derek Riordan - new found strength thanks to the Army! (sns)

Alen Orman meanwhile is vowing to fight back against both his illness and any suggestion that he might be one of the players set to leave Easter Road.  Orman still has two years of his current deal to run and there was a suggestion that he might be transfer-listed by the club, however the player insisted that he has no intentions of moving anywhere and will fight to continue his career, making it clear that having epilepsy was no bar to his doing that.  Orman said:  "It is incorrect to imply that because I have epilepsy this would cause me to stop playing football, and as far as I am concerned I will carry on.  I continue to monitor with my specialist the dosage of medication that I will have to take. This is an ongoing process and is the same for everyone with epilepsy.

Orman blasted back at any suggestion the two attacks he suffered on the Easter Road pitch this season are markers for the future, saying:  "There is no evidence that having epilepsy will stop me playing top-level football. A number of professional sportsmen have this condition and continue to perform at the highest level. I love to play for Hibs and their supporters because they are magnificent to me. I would like to give them something back next season. I will also be fighting to get back my place in the Austrian national team and as far as I’m concerned having epilepsy will not stop me realising my wishes."  After playing again in the East of Scotland Shield final against Hearts on Monday, Orman is expected to be in the Hibs squad for the game in Livingston.