FORMER Celtic striker, Derek Riordan is to stand trial next month on a charge of assault.

The 31-year old made a brief appearance in Edinburgh Justice of the Peace Court yesterday and pleaded not guilty.

He is alleged to have assaulted Damian Holahan by striking him on the head to his injury last February in Malone's Irish Bar in Forrest Road, Edinburgh.

Riordan, who was capped three times for Scotland, left Hibs for Celtic in 2006, but returned to the Edinburgh side in 2008.

He left the club in 2011 and since then has had short spells with a Chinese side, St Johnstone, Bristol Rovers and Alloa Athletic.