Levein will manage Old Firm team one day, predicts Flood

Published on Saturday 21 February 2009 18:45

DUNDEE United manager Craig Levein expended a lot of energy during the January transfer window trying to keep Willo Flood, his loan signing from Cardiff City, on the books at Tannadice, but the midfielder got the dream move to Celtic that he was looking for and last weekend was pitched into the cauldron that is an Old Firm match.

Flood has now had experience of serving under two of Scotland's more charismatic managers, and sees similarities and differences between Levein and Celtic manager Gordon Strachan. He also believes that Levein will one day manage either half of the Old Firm.

"The biggest thing they have in common is that they are both winners," said Flood. "They want to win every game and they also want the best for their players. The gaffer here at Celtic has a lot more experience, but Craig Levein will get that as he keeps going along. One day I think he will be at one of the Old Firm teams, and it is only a matter of time before he will be a top, top manager."

A pretty big target for Levein, therefore, but if he shares Flood's self-belief, he will surely end up at Parkhead or Ibrox, or perhaps a big English club. For though he has described playing for Celtic as a dream come true, Flood gives every impression of a man handling the big move with aplomb.

"I am settling in very well," said Flood. "The lads and the staff have made me feel very welcome and we've moved house now and we're settling in well. Training is different, but the main difference is the pressure that comes with being at Celtic. There wasn't the same pressure at Dundee United, and that's the biggest difference."

Flood played for most of last weekend's disappointing Old Firm match, but admitted he had not really reflected on events: "I haven't really had time to think about it," said Flood, whose friends and relatives were as surprised as the player himself to see his name on the starting list for the big match. "I only found out an hour before the kick-off that I was playing. I didn't have time to tell anyone, just texted the missus and that was it.

"I thought the atmosphere would be decent but it was more than that and the first 10 to 15 minutes was hectic. The crowd were brilliant and got behind us, even when we weren't playing so well."

Flood will hope to start against Motherwell, and Barry Robson's groin injury gives him a bigger chance of doing so. Much has been made of the surface for today's match at Fir Park, with manager Strachan advocating "common sense" football, and Flood knows all about it.

He recalled: "I played there last season for Dundee United against Gretna and there was just a patch of grass in one corner and the rest of it was like quicksand. It looks a lot better this season, and it will be the same for both sides. You still have to try and get the ball down. It doesn't matter what pitch you're playing on, you still have to try and play the right way."

Flood pointed out that Celtic and Dundee United provided plenty of entertainment on a poor surface at Hampden in the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final, and that "Fir Park looks a lot better".

The Irishman anticipates that Motherwell will be difficult opponents: "They will come and have a go and won't sit back. They won't be happy just to go for a draw."

That's a fair analysis for a new boy at Celtic. It seems Flood really is adjusting to the pressures of his altered state.