Willo Flood "Keane" on Celtic Dream

Willo Flood was born in the tough Ballyfermot estate in Dublin in 1985, a place well known for its love of Celtic, and at the age of fifteen he joined his local football side Cherry Orchard, showing off his skills in the Dublin & District Schoolboy League.

Never in a million years did the young Irishman think he would realise his dream of one day pulling on the famous green and white hoops, let alone wear the no. 16 shirt of his hero, Manchester United and Ireland legend, Roy Keane.

However it was whilst at Cherry Orchard that his remarkable journey to Paradise began, when scouts from English Premier League side Manchester City noticed the tenacious, fiery youngster. City were impressed by what they saw, and Flood signed for the club in 2002. He made his debut in 2003 against Welsh side TNS in the UEFA Cup, but by far the highlight of his time in Manchester was lining up against his hero Keane at Old Trafford.

"Keane is my all-time hero," explained Willo. 

"He's probably the best player we've ever had in our country and probably the best we'll ever have.

"The best leader, the best captain and he is an absolute hero everywhere in the world.

"I played against him in the Manchester derby and we drew 0-0. It was my second game at Old Trafford so I can say I played on the same pitch as a legend.

"I asked for his jersey and he said he would give it to me in the tunnel. He got the kit man of Manchester United to give it to me. It just went to show the mark of the man."

First team opportunities were hard to come by at City, however, and Willo spent two brief loan spells at Rochdale and Coventry, before joining Cardiff City for £200,000 in 2006. After having failed to settle at Ninian Park, making just 25 appearances, Flood was off on his travels again.

This time it was to be a successfull move, as he joined Craig Levein's rejuvinated Dundee United side on loan in 2007. After receiving a red card on his debut, Flood quickly established himself as an integral part of the United side, and after briefly returning to Cardiff at the end of the 2007/08 season, rejoined United for another loan spell at the start of the next season.

Willo is quick to admit just how important Craig Levein and his time at the Tannadice club has been in the development of his career.

"Craig Levein has been unbelievable to me. He got me here and got me my confidence back. He did everything for me and I owe everything to him.

"So far in my career, he has been the biggest influence. I have a lot to thank him for. Things worked out really well at Dundee United and I was thinking about staying."

Staying at Tannadice, though, could no longer be an option when his boyhood heroes, Celtic, came calling mid way through the current season.

"I've supported Celtic all my life. When they come knocking, you can only say yes, and when do I sign?" stated Willo. "With this chance to play for the club I supported as a boy, there was only one answer."

And so the dream had been realised. But the icing on the cake was yet to come. This combatitive young Irishman has not only signed for his beloved club, but has been awarded the No. 16 shirt, the number worn at both Manchester United and Celtic, by his footballing hero, Roy Keane.

"I didn't ask Celtic for No. 16, I was just given it by chance. The kitman said that was it. I knew Keane had the number at United but not here. But just having the Celtic strip on is an absolute dream. It could be No.99 for all I care."

On the day after the transfer window closed, it truly is heartening to hear these words, coming from a player that genuinely wants to play for his heroes, and not the chequebook.