Dundee United have secured the services of goalkeeping coach Ryan Flood for the remainder of the season.
Flood, 33, arrives on secondment from English Premier League side Southampton, where he works with their ‘B’ team and under-18s.
He boasts experience coaching former Celtic favourite Fraser Forster and also enjoyed a spell with the Saints’ south coast rivals Portsmouth.
Flood, who was on the books of QPR and MK Dons as a player, retired at the age of 21 due to a spinal injury and, despite his relative youth, is already 12 years into his coaching career.
Flood told Dundee United’s official website: “I’m absolutely delighted to be here.
“Dundee United are a hugely ambitious club with a great tradition and I hope I can play a part in helping them achieving their goals.
“I may only be here for the short term, but I’ve already been made to feel incredibly welcome by everyone. I sense a real buzz throughout the club.
“The manager [Tam Courts] has a real energy and positivity and that has spread throughout the dressing room. We have achieved a top six place but let’s see what comes next.”
Replacing Tony Caig
The short-term agreement will see Flood return to St. Mary’s at the end of the campaign, at which point United hope to confirm the capture of a permanent successor to Tony Caig.
Caig — only in the role for nine months after replacing Neil Alexander last July — departed Tannadice last month to join Newcastle United’s academy structure, leaving Courts searching for temporary cover.
And Flood embarked on his duties at the weekend, warming up keepers Benjamin Siegrist and Carljohan Eriksson ahead of the Dundee derby.
He will be a key part of the United coaching staff as Courts’ men bid to secure European qualification.
Flood added: “I’ve worked with some great keepers, including Fraser Forster at Southampton and we have real talent in the ranks here.
“Benjamin Siegrist and Carljohan Eriksson are both top operators.
“It’s my job over the next few weeks to make sure they are fit, focused and ready to help the team.”
Ross Graham recalls ‘crazy’ Dinamo Moscow clash as Dundee United eye European nights
