Willo Flood

[eirebhoy]

???:confused: Who else signed them if it wasnt Strachan?
John Park. Strachan puts his trust in his scouts, especially at that price. But Flood is definitely a Strachan signing and he won't be going into the reserves. Park also scouted Keith Fahey and Seamus Coleman and I think there was bids in for the 2 of them.

[Junior]

John Park. Strachan puts his trust in his scouts, especially at that price. But Flood is definitely a Strachan signing and he won't be going into the reserves. Park also scouted Keith Fahey and Seamus Coleman and I think there was bids in for the 2 of them.

Donati, Sno, Hutchinson, Killen, Mizuno to name but a few that regularly togged out for the reserves or still do - Strachan signings or does he get to abdicate signing responsibility for these players as well? If Willo is not getting a starting birth - which he wont be unless we have a dramatic injury crisis - why shouldnt he get a run out in the reserves?

[eirebhoy]

Donati, Sno, Hutchinson, Killen, Mizuno to name but a few that regularly togged out for the reserves or still do - Strachan signings or does he get to abdicate signing responsibility for these players as well?
Donati, Sno and Killen are 3 players that moved into the reserves after failing with the first team (in Sno's case he was still younger than most of the reserve players so nothing wrong there). Hutchinson was signed as a reserve and has never started a professional game afaik. And it was always said that Mizuno would play for the reserves for his first half season and he knew that. Mizuno thinks he's progressing as expected if his interviews are to go by.


If Willo is not getting a starting birth - which he wont be unless we have a dramatic injury crisis - why shouldnt he get a run out in the reserves?
The same reason Hartley and Robson don't. Flood is signed as a first teamer and if he avoids injury this season he won't play a single game for the reserves imo.

[mackannovic]

Can't see how this is a bad move for the lad?

All players should be encouraged to challenge their abilities. If you were Willo Flood you would sign for Celtic in a heartbeat because there's a prospect that its a team you'll fit into perfectly, a team in which you'll be surrounded by the cream of talent in the league and a crop of players that will help you realise your full potential. If you don't sign there's the possiblity of long term injury curtailing that move and being forgotten about 5 months down the line or even the possiblity that the team you're currently playing for going through a dour patch of form and as a result your game and reputation being affected.

Now is Willo Floods chance at making a name for himself. If he doesn't then he'll simply drop back down a level but being with the best coaching staff in the league and surrounded by the best players isn't gonna make him any worse a player.

[Stuttgart88]

well said mac.

[tetsujin1979]

If Flood had stayed with Dundee, or Cardiff, we'd be criticising him for not trying to make the step up.
Now that he has done something to improve his game and his career, we're criticising him for not being good enough for Celtic, before he's even played for them??

[Junior]

Ive been an advocate of Flood, certainly during his spell with Dundee Utd (dont recall him much at Man City)- He's been good for them. With the current Celtic squad, I dont think he'll feature much - though I think he had to make the move to give it a go. tThat could change in the summer if key midfielders leave the club.

[Wolfie]

Anyone named after a Hobbit needs all the well wishers he can get.

Best of luck, Willo Flood,

From everyone here at Middle Earth.

[eirebhoy]

Flood starts for Celtic today against Rangers. McGeady is on the bench but it's not really a like for like. Flood adds that bit of bite Strachan feels is needed for this game.

[Razors left peg]

Managers baffle me sometimes. In big games you want your big players on the pitch and that for me means McGeady every time. Hope Flood has a great game but he is not in the same class as Aiden

[tetsujin1979]

Set up the best chance of the game so far with a whipped in cross from the byline, McDonald glanced it wide

[eirebhoy]

I thought he had an ok game. A perfect player to give a bit of width in a 3 man midfield while also doing what a central midfielder should. He played on the right of a 4 man midfield for Celtic today but was allowed drift inside and the only time Celtic had the ball on the ground today was when Flood and Naka were coming inside to link up and control things.

He'll get his fair share of caps imo. A more intelligent player than S.Hunt and has all that attitude.

[Junior]

Have to say, I was gobsmacked at hearing he was in the starting 11 yesterday as I stood at the turnstiles waiting to get in the ground.

Particularly as Aiden has now played in numerous Rangers games, was recently MOTM for both Club and Country and it was Willos debut????

I watched him closely and it was a strange one. In the first couple of minutes he was like a boy lost, just looking around, didnt appear to really know where he should be or what he should be doing (this isnt a criticism - just the way I saw it). For the 60 minutes he was on he didnt really appear to want the ball, from throwins he didnt make himself available, that sort of thing. However,.........

confidence grew as you'd expect and he pinged in two brilliant crosses creating our best chances of the match. he also put in a few good tackles getting the crowd going. Overall he did ok in what was a poor game but was always going to be a difficult debut - Good luck to him!

That were my first impressions watching it live - Ill watch it again on tv to see if I missed anything.


EB - You must be shagging strachans wife for you to be so confident he was going to get a starting spot on the team!! Fair play to ya - I really couldnt see it coming that quickly and certainly not as a replacement for Aiden

[gspain]

Very disappointed for Aiden McGeady. He is a confidence player and must have been walking on air on Thursday. I believe he was the star of Celtic's last game too v QoS when nobody else played well.

I've been a fan of Wilo's since the youth team. It would be great to see him playing regularly but he is not in McGeady's class as of today. I thought he did well enough.

[Stuttgart88]

A perfect player to give a bit of width in a 3 man midfield while also doing what a central midfielder should. Haven't seen much of him in Scotland but that's my impression of him, not an out and out winger but not a pure central mid either.

[eirebhoy]

That were my first impressions watching it live - Ill watch it again on tv to see if I missed anything.

I love to read that. :) As you know there's so much you miss when watching a game live. I watched the game again last night and was definitely more impressed with Flood. He comes inside and showed for the ball a lot and it's great to have a bit of intelligence in midfield to know when to move around. His first few touches were very heavy but that's expected with nerves.


EB - You must be shagging strachans wife for you to be so confident he was going to get a starting spot on the team!! Fair play to ya - I really couldnt see it coming that quickly and certainly not as a replacement for Aiden
:D I remember asking someone on a Celtic forum a couple of weeks ago to name a price on Crosas starting against Hibs. I would have put a lot of money on it at the time. I just seem to know Strachan's thinking. I know that Strachan would have thought Naka was the best Celtic player on the pitch in the first half on Sunday because we agree on everything when it comes to Naka. ;) Yet there's plenty of fans that thought Naka was poor. What Naka does best just isn't as memorable as a Brown surge forward, or McGeady leaving a man on his arse, or a crunching Caldwell tackle.

[Junior]

I know that Strachan would have thought Naka was the best Celtic player on the pitch in the first half on Sunday because we agree on everything when it comes to Naka. ;) Yet there's plenty of fans that thought Naka was poor. What Naka does best just isn't as memorable as a Brown surge forward, or McGeady leaving a man on his arse, or a crunching Caldwell tackle.

Well we agree on Naka because I love watching him! His ability is just so natural and effortless. First touch is class, can leave defenders on their arses just as much as the tricky winger, sublime passes and great vision. And if that wasnt enough, this season in particular its been very notable (to me at least) the number of tackles/interceptions he makes and his tracking back. Yeah he probably couldnt fight his way out of a wet paperbag but I hate this "hes a liability when it comes to defending" cliche thrown about at players such as him and our own Aiden when it just dosnt tell the full story.

[bennocelt]

Its the SPL guys:rolleyes:

[tetsujin1979]

Its the SPL guys:rolleyes:
Same as the eL, there are good players in the league.

[corkboy360]

Don't rate this fella at all.

[gustavo]

He always looked very slight to me in his younger days , He's certainly one to keep an eye on , especially if he continues to keep one of our regulars out of his club team.

[Junior]

Its the SPL guys:rolleyes:

no flies on you... what?

[bennocelt]

no flies on you... what?

ha ha yeah:)
i dont mind Willo, i have followed his career since the cherry orchard days, remember his amazing hattrick in a sfai semi cup yonks ago, they still talk about that donw here

just that some were raving about Mceady and naki - both useless IMHO, and would never make it in the EPL

[irishfan86]

I was pretty impressed with him in the Rangers match considering it was his debut.

It was a tight game and I'd call him Celtic's second best performer in the match after Nakamura.

He was at his best when he drifted inside, and I thought Nakamura and himself linked up nicely.

As well, he hit in a couple of phenomenal crosses.

I think the Stephen Hunt comparison is accurate...his energy and physique remind me of Hunt, but he's got a tad more class and match intelligence.

I'd like to see him in the squad as backup for McGeady on the right hand side of midfield.

[Razors left peg]

ha ha yeah:)
i dont mind Willo, i have followed his career since the cherry orchard days, remember his amazing hattrick in a sfai semi cup yonks ago, they still talk about that donw here

just that some were raving about Mceady and naki - both useless IMHO, and would never make it in the EPL

Is this the same McGeady that was the best player on the pitch last week in an Irish shirt..... yeah ur right, hes completely useless!

[Stuttgart88]

Making it in the EPL is hardly the yardstick for relatively slight but skillful players. I'd say both McGeady and Nakamura would do well in Spain.

Shevchenko didn't do much in the EPL. Useless player of course.

[Razors left peg]

Making it in the EPL is hardly the yardstick for relatively slight but skillful players. I'd say both McGeady and Nakamura would do well in Spain.

Shevchenko didn't do much in the EPL. Useless player of course.

Crespo too must be useless in that case

[eirebhoy]

And then you have Arteta who didn't set the world alight at Rangers bar the odd run of good form.

As far as Naka goes. There's not a world class team he'd look out of place in tbh but I won't go into that argument for the millionth time. :) As intelligent a midfielder I've seen for Celtic or Ireland.

[bennocelt]

Is this the same McGeady that was the best player on the pitch last week in an Irish shirt..... yeah ur right, hes completely useless!

jeez man get a grip - its was against Georgia - ha ha ur funny, i suppose you will be peeing in your pants when Celtic win the title , again - yawn:)

[bennocelt]

And then you have Arteta who didn't set the world alight at Rangers bar the odd run of good form.

As far as Naka goes. There's not a world class team he'd look out of place in tbh but I won't go into that argument for the millionth time. :) As intelligent a midfielder I've seen for Celtic or Ireland.

see the problem with that argument is he looked rubbish in any CPL games I have seen, and was useless in any world cup game as well

[eirebhoy]

see the problem with that argument is he looked rubbish in any CPL games I have seen, and was useless in any world cup game as well
Well he's also put in motm performances against Benfica, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Villarreal. Far from useless against Australia in the world cup and Japan also dominted against Croatia. Was regarding, along with Riquelme, as player of the Confederations cup in 2005. If you see Naka at his best you'll be convinced. When he's not at his best it tends to be when Celtic are 2nd best or are playing hoof ball. This topic is about Willo Flood but with Naka, Maloney, Brown, McGeady and Crosas at Celtic the midfield has plenty of class. I'd put Flood as next best after those. We've just had to put up with Hartley for the big games this season who I'd say is about English league 1 standard at best.

btw, I watched McCourt for the reserves against Hibs on Celtic TV tonight and he was frighteningly good. I know it's only the reserves but it was by far and away the best individual performance I've seen at that level.

[Razors left peg]

jeez man get a grip - its was against Georgia - ha ha ur funny, i suppose you will be peeing in your pants when Celtic win the title , again - yawn:)

Wow, quality come back, I hear Trinity College are looking for people to join their debating team, get an application form quick!!!
What does it matter who it was against.Do you think that all players that play in the SPL are automatically useless?Do you dismiss all good performances by McGeady and any other Celtic players in the Champions League simply because they play in the SPL?

[bennocelt]

Well he's also put in motm performances against Benfica, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Villarreal. Far from useless against Australia in the world cup and Japan also dominted against Croatia.
Was regarding, along with Riquelme, as player of the Confederations cup in 2005. If you see Naka at his best you'll be convinced. .

see thats your opinion

[bennocelt]

Wow, quality come back, I hear Trinity College are looking for people to join their debating team, get an application form quick!!!
What does it matter who it was against.Do you think that all players that play in the SPL are automatically useless?Do you dismiss all good performances by McGeady and any other Celtic players in the Champions League simply because they play in the SPL?

see thats ur problem, im talking about football and now ur on about trinity college:rolleyes:

time will prove me right -

[eirebhoy]

see thats your opinion
Also, the opinion of most Celtic fans after those games. Anyway, let's end this one.

[lionelhutz]

Crespo too must be useless in that case

I think Stutts was being sarcastic regarding Shevchenko - maybe he can confirm that himself??

The point he was making was that Shevchenko was one of the best strikers in the world with Kiev and Milan but he just couldn't adapt to the EPL for some reason. It happens sometimes.

And re Crespo I thought he did well enough at Chelsea, much better than Sheva anyway

[third policeman]

Anybody remember a guy called Willo Flood? Used to play for Dundee UTD, heard he might have moved to Celtic.

[Razors left peg]

see thats ur problem, im talking about football and now ur on about trinity college:rolleyes:

time will prove me right -

you didnt answer any of my questions

[Razors left peg]

I think Stutts was being sarcastic regarding Shevchenko - maybe he can confirm that himself??

The point he was making was that Shevchenko was one of the best strikers in the world with Kiev and Milan but he just couldn't adapt to the EPL for some reason. It happens sometimes.

And re Crespo I thought he did well enough at Chelsea, much better than Sheva anyway

I know he was, I was just backing up his point. Crespo and Shevchenko didnt do as well in the Premiership as they did in Italy, my point was that the Premiership is not the only way to classify if a player is good or not. International football as well as european competitions count too

[Junior]

my point was that the Premiership is not the only way to classify if a player is good or not. International football as well as european competitions count too

As does the SPL;)

[Stuttgart88]

I think Stutts was being sarcastic regarding Shevchenko - maybe he can confirm that himself??
Yes, Lionel, just as Razor expanded upon below.

[Stuttgart88]

im talking about football I must have missed that bit. Stupid me.

Nakamura is undoubted quality but I'd be hard pressed to think of any EPL team he'd be a guaranteed success for. He's an entertainer with very little to prove in my opinion.

Personally I think that any educated eye can tell a quality player no matter where he's playing.

[irishfan86]

People go on about the English Premier League as if it is the be all and end all of football.

There's no doubt there is a lot of quality in that league, certainly at the top end, and there's certainly a lot of money in the league.

But let's look at the league in terms of international success.

How many Premier League players were involved in the last 3 world cup final matches, i.e., how many players were playing with an English side when they made the World Cup Final match:

2006: 3 Henry, Makalele, Gallas
2002: 1 Hamann
1998: 2 Leboeuf, Petit

How about the final match of the European Championships?

2008: 4 Lehmann, Ballack, Fabregas, Alonso
2004: 2 Ronaldo, Stelios
2000: 4 Desailly, Vieira, Deschamps, Henry

I'm not saying that these numbers are unimpressive, but they hardly signal the ultimate superiority of playing in the EPL, especially when it comes to international success.

It's a good league, it's one of Europe's top leagues, and a lot of the best players in the world probably wouldn't have the same success in England that they had elsewhere; however, I think a lot of English league stars wouldn't have the same success if they tried to play in Serie A or La Liga.

I think the phrase horses for courses might apply here.

I would put my money on Nakamura having greater success in Spain than say Lampard, but I'd pick Lampard every day for the EPL over Nakamura.

Who's the better player? Depends the day, the opposition, the conditions, and what teammates they get to play with.

But a complex answer to a simple question is rarely what people want.

[Razors left peg]

Even going back to the likes of the great Henrik Larsson people were saying he wasnt a top player because he only played in the SPL.While there is no one near his class there right now(or probably ever again) there are some very good players there, which McGeady is the best of in my opinion.
And if Willo Flood can make it at a club like Celtic and perform in Europe as well as the SPL than he will have proved himself to be a very good player also(just had to mention that to keep the thread on topic;))

[The Fly]

And then you have Arteta who didn't set the world alight at Rangers bar the odd run of good form.

As far as Naka goes. There's not a world class team he'd look out of place in tbh but I won't go into that argument for the millionth time. :) As intelligent a midfielder I've seen for Celtic or Ireland.

Off topic for Ireland but..............
Eirebhoy, you seriously overrate Nakamura, (as a total package anyway). There are plenty of world class teams he would not make.
I'm only stating the obvious, but he has never actually played for one and for me - never will.

[bennocelt]

I must have missed that bit. Stupid me.

Nakamura is undoubted quality but I'd be hard pressed to think of any EPL team he'd be a guaranteed success for. He's an entertainer with very little to prove in my opinion.

Personally I think that any educated eye can tell a quality player no matter where he's playing.

yeah and thats why he is playing in the spl:rolleyes:

[eirebhoy]

Eirebhoy, you seriously overrate Nakamura, (as a total package anyway). There are plenty of world class teams he would not make.
I'm not disputing that. I'm saying he wouldn't look out of place in any of the top teams in the world. Stephen Ireland wouldn't either and I would have said that 12 months ago. Naka looks more out of place in rubbish teams and only really thrives when Celtic are playing well.

Apparantly Naka doesn't do it against Rangers but it takes a quality player to produce a lot of this (once you get by the start of the video, the clips are taken from 5 games):
http://www.zshare.net/video/55782319d626a25b/

Obviously I can't help myself debating Naka but we're also debating quality in the SPL so still on topic I suppose. :)

[tetsujin1979]

Flood starts on the bench today, alongside McGeady and O'Dea.
Strachan playing a 4-3-3 for the first time in an age

[eirebhoy]

Yeh probably the worst pitch in Britain so Strachan didn't think it would suit players that like to run with the ball. First match in a long time Celtic played well and failed to win. Not a good feeling.

[The Fly]

Yeh probably the worst pitch in Britain so Strachan didn't think it would suit players that like to run with the ball. First match in a long time Celtic played well and failed to win. Not a good feeling.

I feel almost certain that Strachan will be gone at the end of the season.
Resignation or the sack - who knows?

Dead man walking!