“You’ve got to be a winner. You win at all costs,” Kelvin Wilson | OneFootball

Former Celtic defender Kelvin Wilson has reflected on the challenges of playing as a centre-back for the Hoops, recalling his personal struggles during his time at the club more than ten years ago…

Lionel Messi (R) of Barcelona runs for the ball with Kelvin Wilson of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League group G match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at the Camp Nou stadium on October 23, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers’ side have plenty of central defensive choices, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales occupying the starting roles just now. Auston Trusty remains a reliable option for the Irishman, and the recent arrival of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey—whose season-long loan from Manchester City was confirmed last week—adds further competition for places.

The remaining centre-back choices for Rodgers include Celtic academy products Dane Murray and Stephen Welsh, with Welsh reportedly poised to depart the club this month following a successful six month loan spell in Belgium last season.

Kelvin Wilson of Celtic tackles Emamanuel Emenike of FC Spartak Moscow during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Celtic and FC Spartak Moscow at Celtic Park on December 5, 2012. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

As for Trusty, the £5.5 million recruit from Sheffield United last summer has begun both league fixtures among the substitutes, but has come on in the second half of each game and has done well.

Familiar with spending time on the fringes, Wilson’s debut season at Celtic was hampered by injuries and inconsistent performances, but he established himself as an influential player under Neil Lennon in the memorable 2012/2013 campaign.

Kelvin Wilson of Celtic tackles Rodrigo of SL Benfica during the Champions League UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and SL Benfica at Celtic Park on September 19, 2012 . (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Speaking via Daily Record, Wilson said: “I think every player is different. Some get a little bit complacent and think it’s going to be easy going up to Celtic, and it’s not. You can’t just win a game 1-0 because you’re going to get hammered by the press and fans. You’ve got to win convincingly and play well week in, week out.

“I think for the lad [Trusty], he’s had his first season, he knows what it’s about now. It’s just getting into your mindset of what you need to do to be a Celtic player.”

“You don’t go out there expecting someone to win you the game.”

“It’s a winning mentality,” Wilson added. “People don’t understand when you say that. You learn how to win. You’ve got to be a winner. You win at all costs. You don’t go out there expecting someone to win you the game.”

Over his two seasons with Celtic, Wilson featured in 76 matches and secured three domestic trophies. After limited action in his debut 2011/2012 season with 22 appearances, he became a regular play for Lennon the next year, playing 50 games across domestic and Champions League matches.

Kelvin Wilson of Celtic and James Vaughan of Norwich City during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Norwich City, at Celtic park on July 24, 2012 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Interestingly, the former Preston North End and Nottingham Forest defender revealed that competing in European matches with Celtic felt less pressured compared to the constant expectations to win domestically.

“I think it’s more physical up in Scotland. Every game against Celtic is a cup final”

Wilson said: “I think it’s more physical up in Scotland. Every game against Celtic is a cup final, and teams want to prove a point. Teams want to impress, maybe get a move to Celtic or get a move to a bigger club. So, you’re playing against that week in, week out.

“It’s every single week that you need to turn up and deal with the pressures of being a Celtic player. And it’s one of them that every team wants to beat you. This sounds weird because people are going to say you play against a better opposition. I think in the Champions League, sometimes it’s easier. You might be the underdog sometimes. You’re playing against better players, so your game automatically lifts.”

Celtic’s players Scott Brown, Mikael Lustig, Kelvin Wilson and Georgios Samaras lifts the trophy after defeating Hibernian 3-0 during the Scottish Cup Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Hampden Stadium on May 26, 2013. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“That’s the difference between a top player like Scott Brown and a player who doesn’t really succeed at Celtic and moves on pretty quickly.”

“I think when you go back to the SPFL, you probably get a little bit complacent sometimes,” he continued. “You expect that you’re going to win. I think that’s the case sometimes. That’s the difference between a top player like Scott Brown and a player who doesn’t really succeed at Celtic and moves on pretty quickly. I played with a few who didn’t play at all when I was at Celtic. It’s about having that winning mentality of turning up, week in, week out.”

Conor Spence

More Stories / Latest News

“You’ve got to be a winner. You win at all costs,” Kelvin Wilson

Aug 13 2025, 9:26

Celtic v Falkirk – There’s a Rookie Referee plus John Beaton’s on VAR

Aug 13 2025, 8:47

Celtic Invincible Dedryck Boyata calls time on playing career

Aug 13 2025, 7:59

CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES BY DAVID POTTER, FOREWORD BY DANNY McGRAIN is published by Celtic Star Books on the fifth day of September. You can pre-order now to guarantee your copy which will be signed by Danny McGrain, with just a limited number of signed copies still available, although they are selling very quickly.

Missing Attachment

Missing Attachment

And there’s another great benefit for readers who pre-order their copy of Celtic in the Eighties. You will also receive a copy of an earlier David Potter book – Celtic’ Icicle – Alec McNair – which you’ll receive for FREE when you pre-order with Celtic in the Eighties. So you get two great Celtic books by David Potter and better still the postage is only charged on one. Click on the image below to order. (Just order Celtic in the Eighties and we’ll automatically add a copy of the Alec McNair book).

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.