Mark Wilson - Fan that got lucky

MarcoVanBeasten · May 23, 2011

No one enjoyed Celtic’s Scottish Cup success over Motherwell more than Mark Wilson.

Five stop-start years of frustration for the full-back since his transfer from Dundee United in 2006 looked like ending with a quiet exit from Celtic towards the annonimity of The Championship.
Cha Du-Ri’s inclusion for South Korea in the Asian Cup provided Wilson with a last chance to make it at Celtic with the 26-year-old grabbing the opportunity with both hands.

A series of storming displays- punctuated by some great goal scoring sclaffs and deflections- have put a smile back on his face with Hampden providing a silver lining for the Glasgow bhoy.

“Sometimes it is surreal for myself because I would be out there supporting the team if I wasn’t playing,” he admitted at Hampden. “It’s fantastic, I’m very lucky to be part of it.

“I’ve got lots of memories of Hampden as a fan, I was only young but always remember the 1989 win over Rangers and then being here in 1995 when Pierre van Hooijdonk scored.

“Experiences like that make it fantastic to play a part in winning the cup for this club.

“A year ago my future was pretty uncertain, I didn’t know what was going to happen over the next six months but it changed pretty quickly since Christmas time. Cha went away on international duty and I got in the team and took the chance the best I could"

“Luckily enough I’ve managed to do that and I’ve got many great memories of this season even though we’ve not won the league. That’s something that I’ll be thinking of over the summer and looking to better ourselves next season.

“It’s realistic to think that I could have been leaving, my contract was running out and I could have been on my way. But things have worked out, luck or whatever I’m still here and grateful for that.”
Saturday’s Scottish Cup win over Motherwell sealed a season of promise and excitement with silverware.
From across the globe new heroes have emerged with Emilio Izaguirre instantly becoming a favourite of the supporters with his eye-catching attacking style.
Wilson is a huge fan of his Honduran team-mate and isn’t too proud to admit that he’s tried to copy part of his team-mates game.

He explained: “The shape of the team is very important and gives me the chance to get forward. There are guys willing to fill in if a right-back or left-back goes up, and sometimes you don’t always get that in a team.
“Sometimes you get selfish players but this team is very selfless, everyone looks to do the job for the team not just themselves.

“If I see him (Emilio) running down the wing I try to get in at the back post which sometimes the manager goes off his head at!
“I think it’s an attractive way of playing, I like watching full backs like that, this season I thought that I’d try and be a bit more positive, a bit more attacking and it’s paid off.”

After so many injury problems Wilson’s desire to succeed at Celtic can’t be doubted.

Signed in the same month as Roy Keane he has had to wait five years to become an overnight hero and is happy to share his success with the medical team that made this season’s success possible.

“The medical staff here have been fantastic,” he added. “They’ve looked after me, they know when I can train and when I can’t.

“I’ve got to give a mention to a Thai Therapist Ken Anderson who I see every week. A lot of players use him, Henrik Larsson used him, he’s been a big help to me and he’s kept me fit and I’m grateful for the time he’s spent on me.

“I’m enjoying my football as much as I did when I was at Dundee United. All my injuries really took the shine off playing for Celtic, you’re out there struggling and not really enjoying your football.”

Looking back on Saturday’s win over Motherwell he added: “It was a wee bit tense at the start but Ki’s goal changed that and came at the perfect time.

“Ki is very quiet, a top lad and a top footballer. He’s been in and out of the team but when he’s been in he’s shown why he is so popular in Korea and his goal was fantastic.

“He does those sort of things most days in training, it’s very hard to control those balls but he’s got experience of that from his national team and it was a fantastic strike.

“I’ll tell my son that I got the second goal, it doesn’t matter how it went in because it killed the game.

“We were able to relax after that and Charlie scored a fantastic goal. It’s great to finish the season with a trophy and give the fans something to celebrate after the backing they’ve given us all season.”
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Source: http://videocelts.com/2011/05/blogs/mark-wilson-im-the-fan-that-got-lucky

GazF1888 · May 23, 2011

Delighted he's found his 2006 form again. Honestly thought he never would.

Mevin · May 23, 2011

Top top guy so happy for him

fms06 · May 23, 2011

Been excellent when called upon. Plus seems a good guy

Taz · May 23, 2011

Really deserves every plaudit he has recieved this season. Hope he can stay fit for years to come. Great season, Mark!

Aidzo 09 · May 23, 2011

Couldn't me happier for Mark, fast becoming one of my favourite players. Love players that know what Celtic's all about and give it their all. Hope he keeps his place next season, well done Mark!

Scarecrow · May 23, 2011

Never been as happy for two players than i have him and mulgrew

Overkill187 · May 23, 2011

WGS most underrated signing. Have been a fan of his ever since, although I feared he would never recover from his injuries. Hope he can stay healthy till the end of his career now. Well in Mark.

TAB · May 23, 2011

Wilson has been key for us defensively this season. With Izzy being attack-minded, it's great to have a RB like Wilson because he's very capable defensively and that allows us to be more solid.

In saying that though, he's really improved going forward this season. He's done that well that he's managing to keep Cha out the team, who is an experienced South Korean International.

Hope he stays fit and continues to play well for us.

Delighted for him.

Cofi#12-CFC1888 · May 23, 2011

One of my favorite players. Always gives 110%.

Scarecrow · May 23, 2011

I'm sure he said a while ago he only has a few seasons left.

Callum McGregor · May 23, 2011

He's a really sound bloke too. Got a photo with him outside the stadium after the Strachan's last game in charge.

The Prof · May 23, 2011

Wilson has worked hard and shown a good attitude, others could learn from him

jiko · May 23, 2011

I'd say he's got to where he is through pure hard graft... Maybe the luck involved was the injury to Hinkel because he would have been first choice , but with Willo having had bad injuries of his own in the past it's probably fair that if anyone was to benefit from another players injury that someone like Mark is the guy to benefit...

The first half of the season he was re-establishing himself.. The 2nd half of the season he was immense.. Very important part of the team now and surely will remain first choice.. Mathews will have to bide his time , likewise for Cha and Juarez who may have to go elsewhere to get their careers going again..

Cheese - Burger · May 23, 2011

I like any Scottish players

Willos a good honest pro

its good having willo at Right Back it harks back to the time of Jackie McNamara another good Scottish Right Back

pLUSpISTOL · May 23, 2011

I LOVE YOU MARKUS!!

BelfastBhoy74 · May 23, 2011

I think with our growing number of glittering internationals it is important to still have a blood and guts Scot in the team, particularly at the back...hopeful for an injury season for him next year.

Mark Wilson - Fan that got lucky

MarcoVanBeasten

GazF1888

Mevin Gold Member Gold Member

fms06

Taz Blind Justice Gold Member News Writer

Aidzo 09

Scarecrow

Overkill187 Batshitcrazy

TAB

Cofi#12-CFC1888

Scarecrow

Callum McGregor The Captain Gold Member

The Prof Administrator Administrator

jiko

Cheese - Burger

pLUSpISTOL

BelfastBhoy74