Kelvin now warming to task and set for success on big scale

TALKING CELTIC Manager calls on defender to show true

KELVINWILSONhas had the gauntlet thrown down to him by Celtic manager Neil Lennon. Throughout the transfer window, the Hoops boss never hid the fact he had made strengthening his central defence a priority.

That, and the preference for playing Charlie Mulgrew and Thomas Rogne through the opening month appeared to signify that the former Nottingham Forest team-mate of Lennon was on borrowed time. However, as the transfer window prepared to close for another four months, the manager was delighted to see Wilson finally show his true colours - and form.

His performance against Helsingborgs in midweek was his best since he arrived at Parkhead on a Bosman last summer.

Now Lennon wants the Englishman, who turns 27 on Monday, to use that 90 minutes as his benchmark and prove to everyone it was not just a flash in the pan.

The Hoops boss said: “Kelvin has vindicated why we brought him here. On Wednesday, he showed all of the qualities that I knew he had. I just hope he gets a huge shot in the arm from that.

“He looked a class player against Helsingborgs, and I hhave always thought he wwas that.”

Wilson’s indifferent fform had him drop down thet pecking order at the club as his first season form went rapidly below what was expected of him.

Lennon believes confidence was an issue, and said: “Kelvin knows himself that he didn’t have a bad first season, but in some games he wobbled a bit.

“He looked the most accomplished player on the pitch in midweek with his positional play.I thought he was superb, and he read the game brilliantly.”

The timing of this longawaited blossoming could not have been better as Lennon admitted there had been enquiries about taking Wilson back south.

But, after showing everyone what he had to offer in the Hoops, any such plan was quickly shelved. The manager said: “There was talk of Kelvin leaving, but he will not be going anywhere now.”

With Thomas Rogne and Charlie Mulgrew struggling with ankle and Achilles injuries respectively, Wilson will be given the chance to once again anchor the defence when Celtic take on Hibs in today’s tabletopping clash at Parkhead.

Georgios Samaras is already out with a back problem, while Scott Brown will be rested for three weeks to allow his hip irritation to settle.

Dylan McGeouch will remain out of action for a further three weeks while his broken jaw heals, and Anthony Stokes’ ankle will leave him kicking his heels for 10 weeks.

That gives Lennon a selection headache today, but his biggest challenge could be to bring his players back down after reaching the heady heights of qualifying to meet Barcelona, Benfica and

‘ There is a definite comedown from the Champions League to the weekend games

Spartak Moscow in the Champions League.

“I don’t want to get them back down to earth for this game against Hibs,” said Lennon bullishly. It’s good that they are feeling so good about themselves.

“But we are likely be down to the bare bones because of injuries. That said, we’ll still have a good team out there.”

The massive toll which playing midweek European games then trying to defend the SPL title at the weekends takes on a squad is already beginning to tell.

That’s one of the reasons Lennon has been so anxious to add more quality – and numbers – to the group of players left after the big clearout during the summer.

The door is being flung open for the likes of Filip Twardzik and Tony Watt to continue to make their play for a regular place.

The domestic games are likely to be where the youngsters are given a run because Lennon knows from his own playing days how tough it is, physically and mentally, to cope with the demands of playing in Europe’s top competition.

He said: “Champions League games do take a lot out of you. I know from my own experience, and through coaching with Gordon Strachan for a year, that there is hangover effect. There is a definite come-