Long time coming, but Wilson’s ready for encore
DANNY WILSON, the Rangers defender, is confident the derby debutants in Mark Warburton’s squad will fully understand the significance of this Old Firm showdown at Hampden. Rangers face Celtic for a place in the Scottish Cup final tomorrow afternoon as they look to continue their fine form and set up a meeting with Hibernian or Dundee United.
Wilson made his Old Firm bow in 2010 as he partnered current Ibrox assistant manager David Weir at the heart of the Light Blues defence. Rangers earned a 1-1 draw at Parkhead as Lee McCulloch cancelled out Scott McDonald’s opener in only Wilson’s seventh appearance for Walter Smith’s side.
There are potentially four Premiership matches to come between the Glasgow rivals next term after the Gers clinched their top flight return by winning the second tier title. The action at Hampden is all that matters right now, though, and Wilson is relishing another instalment of derby drama.
“I don’t really remember [my debut], I was quite young,” he said. “I played the month previously and then went out of the team as Madjid Bougherra came back to fitness. Then he went off to the African Nations and I got the nod to play in the game. I was delighted about it. It kind of just went past in a blur. As I said, it’s a game like no other.
“I just remember going mad when Lee McCulloch equalised with a header. It proved to be an important point for us that day and hopefully we can make more good memories this weekend.
“It’s going to be a tough game but at the same time we should enjoy it because these are the games we want to be playing in. Next season there will be four games against them so we can see where we are now against them, going into next season. From playing against Celtic at youth levels I was well aware of the game.
“Nobody had to take me aside and I’m sure there’s no-one in that dressing room either that will need to be taken aside. We all know, full well, what this means to the fans and the players.”
After adding the Petrofac Training Cup to their Championship title with victory over Peterhead last weekend, Rangers will now return to the National Stadium for their biggest test of the campaign.
Ronny Deila’s side are on course to clinch a fifth successive Premiership title in the coming weeks and are huge favourites to book a final berth. But Wilson is confident the Light Blues can rise to the occasion as they bid to move within 90 minutes of Scottish Cup glory.
“I think we’ll find out on the day [if we are equipped to deal with them],” he said. “We’ve done what’s been asked of us in terms of the league and [in the Petrofac] Cup. Next week will be a big challenge for us.
“It’s something as players we can all look forward to. That’s certainly what I want to do, you want to test yourself against the best. They’ve been the best team in the country the last X amount of years, but Sunday’s a good challenge to go against them and see how we do. I’m looking forward to the game, as we all are.
“There’s nothing quite like it. It’s not just me, I think everyone around town has been telling all the new players, since the draw has been made, what to expect.
“I’ll lend any help that I can, as I always try to do. I’m sure the boys will all be well aware of what’s required on Sunday and are looking forward to it. I’m sure it’s a game we’re all looking forward to.”