Celtic's Ireland midfielder Willo Flood has threatened to leave the club at Christmas if he fails to win a first team spot under new boss Tony Mowbray.

The former Irish under-21 international was left out of the squad that secured a glamor clash with Arsenal in the Champions League playoffs thanks to last week’s impressive win away to Dinamo Moscow.

Flood, Gordon Strachan’s final signing as manager, was involved in the 2-1 friendly defeat at his former club Manchester City on Saturday when he admitted he may have to consider his future in the coming months.

“If you go from playing week in, week out to being a bit-part player, it can be frustrating,” said the player signed from Dundee United.

“You get frustrated with yourself and things around you. But I’ll need to keep my head down and see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

“I had the chance to fulfill my boyhood dream of playing for Celtic. I couldn’t turn it down and I have never regretted it. It’s too soon to do anything right now.

“I’ll keep my head down and hopefully catch the manager’s eye. But if I’m not involved by January, I will have to go in and speak to the manager about my situation.

“I want to be playing games rather than sitting on the bench. Any footballer who says he’s happy sitting on the bench lacks ambition.”

Bhoys boss Mowbray has also revealed his admiration for Arsene Wenger ahead of the Champions League clash with Arsenal with the first leg at Parkhead next week.

“I have huge respect for Arsene and the job he’s done at Arsenal,” said Mowbray. “He’s had a lot of success at the club and has built a side that plays the game in the right way.

“They don’t spend the millions on players that other English clubs do, but they play with a real style and always try to entertain. That’s down to Arsene and his philosophies.”

Celtic added Stockport youngster Josh Thompson to their ranks last week, and Mowbray expects to further strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

“At this moment we want some outs to get some ins. I would like to think there is going to be some movement but we will wait and see,” said Mowbray.