Source: Team_Talk
Flood: I owe dream move to Levein
The Irish midfielder was unveiled at Celtic's Lennoxtown training complex on Monday afternoon just 18 months after his career looked to have stalled at Cardiff.[LNB]Flood had been handed his Premiership debut by Kevin Keegan as a teenager with Manchester City but the vast majority of his 28 appearances for Cardiff were from the bench.[LNB]He took the bold decision to move to Tannadice on loan and has reaped the rewards by winning a move to the club he followed as a boy.[LNB]"I played a few games in the Premiership and then after about 18 months I went to Cardiff," the 23-year-old said.[LNB]"That didn't go so well, so then Craig Levein asked me if I would come up to Dundee United on loan and get some games and get my confidence back.[LNB]"I've got a lot to thank Craig Levein for, and everybody at Dundee United, because they have done so much for me. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be sitting here today.[LNB]"I never in a million years thought I could ever get the chance to play for Celtic.[LNB]"My aim was to go to Dundee United and just play some games, and hopefully play well. This has just been an absolute dream."[LNB]Levein has transformed United from the Scottish Premier League's bottom club to challengers for trophies and a European place, and has had a similar impact on Flood's career.[LNB]"When I went up to Dundee I was low in confidence and the first thing he did was get my confidence back," Flood said.[LNB]"I think he has made me an all-round better player and a stronger person. I think I'm a lot better player now than I was at Cardiff.[LNB]"I remember people saying to me 'Why are you going on loan? Why are you going up to the SPL?'[LNB]"I knew Craig Levein was a top, top manager. I spoke to my mate, Paddy McCarthy, who was with him at Leicester City.[LNB]"He said 'Go and play for him, he's an absolute joy to work with'.[LNB]"It's been an absolute dream for me, to work for him and then my boyhood dream comes true."[LNB]The Dubliner could not afford to travel to Glasgow to watch his favourite team as a boy, and made no attempt to disguise his excitement at wearing the hoops.[LNB]"It's an absolute honour," said Flood, who left home aged 15 to move to Manchester City's academy.[LNB]"Usually I pay £40 to get this strip and I've got it for free.[LNB]"Everybody wants to play for their boyhood team and when the chance comes, you just can't turn it down.[LNB]"When I was young, (Henrik) Larsson, John Hartson, Chris Sutton, (Lubomir) Moravcik were the players that I looked up to.[LNB]"When you're in Dublin and you're playing football, everybody aspires to play for Celtic one day."[LNB]Flood revealed his family and friends were "overjoyed" at his move, including his father who never showed much interest in football until it became clear there was a talent in the family.[LNB]"Everyone has been ringing back home and everyone has been texting," said Flood, who has signed a two-and-half-year contract.[LNB]"Everybody is just really happy for me and they hope it works out.[LNB]"My dad wasn't really into football until he saw me progress. Now he thinks he's Jose Mourinho."[LNB]Flood's last action as a Dundee United player was to miss the penalty that helped Celtic reach the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.[LNB]Flood hit out over the prolonged transfer after the game, admitting the speculation had affected him.[LNB]And he expressed regret that he did not leave United on a high note.[LNB]"I just wanted to go out and play well for Dundee United and hopefully catch the manager's eye," Flood said.[LNB]"I just wanted to go out on a good note and unfortunately I missed a penalty."[LNB]On his post-match outburst, Flood added: "I just think I was frustrated with the game. I think that was blown out of context."[LNB][LNB]
