Source: Team_Talk
Flood can handle Old Firm - Hartley
Flood, who arrived from Dundee United in the January transfer window, was cup-tied for last week's Homecoming Scottish Cup win over Queen's Park at Parkhead.[LNB]The lifelong Celtic fan, however, is in Gordon Strachan's squad for this weekend's crucial SPL clash with Rangers.[LNB]Hartley is confident his fellow midfielder can step undaunted into the biggest fixture in the Scottish football calendar.[LNB]He said: "I think Willo has the right type of character for the Glasgow derby.[LNB]"I've played against him a lot and I've seen him up close in training.[LNB]"He can play in this side. He's a terrific footballer and he's got a bit of dig about him.[LNB]"Willo grew up as a Celtic fan and knows what it's all about. He knows what it takes in these games."[LNB]With midfielder Shaun Maloney a doubt with a recurrence of a hamstring injury and skipper Stephen McManus back from a knee injury, there is some uncertainty surrounding the likely Celtic line-up.[LNB]Hartley shrugged off a knock to return to training today and was joined by Scott McDonald and Shunsuke Nakamura, who both returned from a gruelling midweek trip to Japan for a World Cup qualifier.[LNB]While Nakamura played the entire game for Japan, McDonald sat frustrated on the Australia bench for the whole 90 minutes[LNB]Hartley, however, is confident both players will be ready for what is sure to be another exacting Old Firm clash.[LNB]Hartley said: "Scott will be fine. He knows what these games are all about, as you saw the last time when he scored the winner at Ibrox.[LNB]"He's had a long trip during the week but that won't matter. We've had Naka on that trip too, and he played the whole 90 minutes. Like Scott, Naka will be ready.[LNB]"A lot of players having been away on international duty this week, so today was the first day back in training.[LNB]"I'm available for selection. I had a knock and I just had a few days of rest and treatment.[LNB]"I don't think I was ever in danger of missing the game.[LNB]"Players being away on international duty is part and parcel of the game. You can't help that.[LNB]"The boys are back now and the session was excellent. We're all fit and raring to go."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
