Wilson out to continue medal hunt

LaST week’s victorious visit to Hampden with Rangers saw Danny Wilson notch the enviable feat of winning every domestic trophy by the age of just 24.

as an 18-year-old, he was part of the ibrox squad when Nacho Novo’s strike overcame Falkirk in the 2009 Scottish Cup Final.

The following year, although Wilson and team-mate Kevin Thomson were sent off in the league Cup Final against St Mirren, Kenny Miller went on to head a dramatic late winner.

last Sunday’s 4-0 Petrofac Cup Final triumph over Peterhead saw Wilson, now in his second spell at ibrox, add to a burgeoning medal haul which includes consecutive Championship titles with Hearts and Rangers.

However, ahead of tomorrow’s hotly anticipated Scottish Cup semi-final showdown with Celtic, the defender insists his medal haul will never be truly complete until he plays a pivotal part in a cup final triumph.

‘That’s me got them all now, yes, but i’d really like another Scottish Cup winner’s medal,’ he said.

‘i didn’t play in the Final against Falkirk in 2009. and i was sent off in the league Cup Final victory against St Mirren, so i’d maybe like another one of those, as well.

‘No, of course, it’s great to win a trophy. You can’t take any of them for granted. They all have their own merits. and since we started this season, we’ve aimed to do well in as many competitions as we possibly can.’

Wilson (right) has only ever played in one Old Firm match, in January 2010, when lee McCulloch’s header rescued a draw for Rangers after Scott McDonald had opened the scoring for Celtic at Parkhead. it was a point that went a long way towards Rangers winning the SPl title that year.

Wilson hopes his latest taste of the fixture, as the two ancient foes meet for just the second time in four years, ends with him once more on the road to silverware.

‘i remember i was quite young and i had played a few games the month before that Old Firm game,’ he recalled. ‘i had then gone out of the team because Madjid Bougherra came back to fitness.

‘But then he went off to the african Cup of Nations with algeria, which meant i got the nod to play against Celtic. i was delighted. The manager didn’t take me aside or anything before the game. He didn’t have to because i’d played against Celtic at youth level and i was well aware of what the game meant.

‘i just remember it went past in a blur, although i remember going mad when lee McCulloch equalised. it proved to be an important point for us that day.

‘There’s nothing quite like the Old Firm game. it’s a game like no other. i think everyone around town has been telling all of our new players since the draw was made what to expect on Sunday.

‘i’ll lend any help that i can, as i always try and do. But i’m sure the boys will all be well aware of what’s required on Sunday. Hopefully, we can make more good memories.’

Rangers have already proven themselves to be the best team in the Championship by a country mile this season and have also taken the Premiership scalps of Kilmarnock and Dundee en route to tomorrow’s semi-final.

But Wilson knows facing the Scottish champions will be their toughest test to date. However, it’s a challenge he believes Mark Warburton’s side can rise to.

‘We’ve certainly done what’s been asked of us in terms of winning the league and the Petrofac Cup,’ he said. ‘But we know this will be a big challenge for us. You want to test yourself against the best, and Celtic have been the best team in the country the last few years.

‘We’ll find out on the day if we are equipped. But it’s something we all look forward to. it’s a good challenge to go up against them and see how we do. We should enjoy it because these are the games we are going to be facing in the future. ‘Next season in the Premiership there will be four games against Celtic, so we can see where we are now, at this point in time.’