Willo Flood out to repay Dundee United for Tannadice return

Willo Flood last night declared himself ready to repay Dundee United as they push for an instant return to the top flight.
Willo Flood trains with his new Dundee United team-mates yesterday ahead of their Betfred Cup clash with Cowdenbeath. Picture: SNSWillo Flood trains with his new Dundee United team-mates yesterday ahead of their Betfred Cup clash with Cowdenbeath. Picture: SNS
Willo Flood trains with his new Dundee United team-mates yesterday ahead of their Betfred Cup clash with Cowdenbeath. Picture: SNS

Flood has joined his beloved Tangerines for the fourth time after opting to take a wage cut and leave Aberdeen to join Ray McKinnon’s new-look Championship side in their bid to secure promotion back to the Premiership following the pain of last season’s relegation.

The 31-year-old former Celtic star is itching to launch his fourth spell at the Tayside club and admits he now feels he owes them big-time for giving him so much personally over the years.

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The driven Dubliner knows the best way to to deliver pay-back is by leading them back to the top tier of Scottish Football at the first attempt.

Flood, who is in line to face Cowdenbeath in the League Cup at Tannadice tonight, said: “The club have been good to me – bringing me back a few times – so maybe it’s about time I paid them back now.

“It’s a hard watch looking out for the Premiership fixtures and you don’t see Dundee United’s name there.

“That’s not great for me, the Dundee United fans or anyone connected with the club.

“It’s just good to be back though.

“I wouldn’t have dropped to the Championship for any other club though.

“I have a house in Dundee and this is where I live.

“Every time I’ve been at the club, it’s been happy memories.

“We need to make sure that continues this season.

“This is my fourth time here. I’ve come back on loan twice.

“I’ve always enjoyed my football when I’ve been here. That’s basically it.

“I’ve always felt I’ve done well here and so has the team.

“Any time I’ve been at Dundee United, a lot of the players within the team have gone on to get decent moves.

“I don’t see why this team can’t be any different.

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“But we’ve got to make sure we do the business and are up there challenging.”

Flood was described by United boss McKinnon as “angry” on his return to the club and the midfielder doesn’t hit the fact he’ll be driving his team-mates on constantly in their pursuit of automatic promotion in the season ahead. “He said: “I’m just someone who wants to win games.

“I trained with the lads for the first time on Sunday and a few of them would have heard me from playing against them.

“I think they got a piece of me in training but that was me being a bit chilled out. Just wait until the real season kicks in…

“I don’t know (if this is what the team needs) because I haven’t been here long enough.

“Personally, I just bring what I’ve always brought to the club which is a will to win and a desire and determination to make myself better, and individuals better within the team.

“I’ve definitely not mellowed. I think I’ve got worse!

“Seriously, I spoke to the manager at Aberdeen (Derek McInnes) and he was absolutely brilliant. He just said I can’t guarantee you football. I started 20-odd games last season. Some people might sit back and think that’s Ok. But that doesn’t do for me if I’m being honest. I just want to play every game. Even if I’m going through a bad spell, I can still contribute on the pitch.

“The manager here was also brilliant and he said I would be a big part of what’s happening here.

“So that’s what brought me back.”

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McKinnon is loving having fiery Irishman Flood on board and is convinced he’ll be a top-class addition.

He said: “Willo is the angriest man I’ve ever seen.

“You ought to see him in training.

“He’s going to be super for us. Willo just knows how to play football.”