He was the club's biggest signing during the recent transfer window and that fact alone left the supporters totally underwhelmed but Gordon Strachan is confident that Willo Flood's ability will be an asset to Celtic. "We all know what he can do from watching him play against us and other teams like Rangers." said the Celtic boss, "But, trust me, it is a different thing actually playing for us."
"But I have watched him play with our players in training and decided 'You are a good player whose energy we need'. That was important at the weekend because we were aware that, especially early in the game, we needed to make sure we did not let Rangers score." continued the manager. "We had to be on our guard against them counter-attacking us. We were a bit guilty of this as we were going for the game which didn't help us. So having someone like Willo who can get about the pitch quickly was important."
He almost made a dream start when he supplied an inch perfect cross to Scott McDonald from which the Aussie striker should have scored but his manager was impressed by his overall contribution. "He did well there (the cross) because he had had a couple of rocky passes before then and he had come through that." added Strachan, "I eventually took him off, not because I have a problem with his engine, which is good, but because we wanted to get Aiden on and Sami on as we were looking to win the game, and Willo does not have the best track record for getting goals. I could have taken Naka off, but we know he can produce a bit of magic, as he nearly did with his free kick in the final few minutes."
"I could easily put a big team out there, but it is not the team I want to play." explained Strachan. "I would like to play an expansive style of football, but I know that is not going to happen in an Old Firm game. Which is why I have to ask my players to keep it tight and make sure the opposition get nothing to be excited about, then, hopefully, we can change it send on the guys with a bit of pace, which is what we did."
Flood's ex-boss Craig Levein, the Dundee United manager was also pleased with the midfielder's performance against the Huns and he's confident that Willo has the ability and self-belief to command a first team berth at this level. "I was pleased Gordon started Willo against Rangers." said Levein, "I knew the occasion wouldn't faze him in the slightest. Some guys have that special kind of mentality required to play for the Old Firm and Willo has it in abundance."
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