Source: Team_Talk
Hoops ace Loovens on Flood watch
The pair are set to be reunited after Flood was given permission by Cardiff to speak to Celtic.[LNB]Flood was at Celtic Park on Thursday less than 24 hours after his missed penalty helped send the Hoops into the Co-operative Insurance Cup final with an 11-10 sudden-death shootout triumph over Dundee United.[LNB]The 23-year-old later revealed his frustration at the "stupid" transfer speculation and accused Celtic of being "disrespectful" to Dundee United and keeping him in the dark.[LNB]That outburst has not hindered his move but was indicative of his determined approach to his career.[LNB]The Dubliner found a place in the starting line-up hard to come by at Cardiff despite having made 18 first-team appearances for Manchester City.[LNB]He sought to further his career at Tannadice and Loovens has noticed an improvement following an 18-month loan spell on Tayside.[LNB]"If you play a lot, which he has done recently, you always get better," Loovens said.[LNB]"I have seen him a few times now - he is a good player.[LNB]"We had a good team at Cardiff. He was a good player back then and he didn't have to leave.[LNB]"But he wanted to play so that's why he made the choice, and I think it was the right choice for him."[LNB]Strachan confirmed his search for reinforcements was ongoing ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.[LNB]Spartak Moscow and Czech Republic midfielder Radoslav Kovac today claimed he had snubbed Celtic in favour of a proposed move to West Ham.[LNB]"The final decision was to choose West Ham over Celtic," the 29-year-old said. "The prestige of the Premier League tipped the balance."[LNB]Celtic have also been linked with West Brom left-back Marek Cech and Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes, while Eastlands striker Ched Evans is a confirmed target.[LNB]But Strachan admits it is "nearly impossible" to compete with English clubs or penetrate the Barclays Premier League transfer market.[LNB]"It's very hard sometimes," Strachan said. "I would rather not just grab anyone to try and appease people.[LNB]"If they come along, they have to be of value to us.[LNB]"We are trying to do that at the moment but it's not an easy market out there.[LNB]"We cannot deal in England and everybody wants to get to England, so we've got a problem."[LNB]Strachan added: "I'm trying to get business done and I think that would be good because I think our signings in the January window have been important to us in the last few years.[LNB]"Roy Keane was a great signing, a great presence to have about the place.[LNB]"Paul Hartley came in and did a smashing job. Then Robbo (Barry Robson) last year with Andy Hinkel - Robbo was terrific last year.[LNB]"So we're hopping if we do sign people, they will be important for us."[LNB]Celtic have had one approach from England about a loan deal - reported to involve Newcastle and Stephen McManus - but Strachan has otherwise survived January with his squad intact.[LNB]"We've not had any bids for anyone, which is good," Strachan said.[LNB]"But there are usually things happen in the last couple of days."[LNB]If nothing else happens before Monday evening, Strachan is satisfied the impending return from injury of Shaun Maloney, Massimo Donati and Mark Wilson will give the squad a boost.[LNB]He said: "If Maloney was out on the market and we brought him in, we would be pleased, and if Donati was there, we would be pleased.[LNB]"Willo will be back soon as well so there are three players who will be like new signings when we get them back."[LNB]Meanwhile, Strachan is hopeful skipper McManus will return from a knee injury for Sunday's SPL clash at Inverness.[LNB]"Stephen will hopefully be training in the next couple of days and we will see how it goes from there," the[LNB]Hoops boss said.[LNB]"But we're fortunate enough to have good centre-halves so we don't have to force Mick back."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
