Liverpool FC News: AMID the excitement generated by the arrival of Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard’s pledge of commitment, a transfer took place at Anfield that almost went unnoticed.
Danny Wilson’s arrival on Merseyside from Glasgow Rangers might not have caused too much of a ripple outside the city boundaries but in time, it could be that this imposing young Scot’s performance demand a wider audience.
Big things are expected of Wilson in the future yet that should not come as a surprise, when you consider that he played his part in helping Rangers land the Scottish Premier League and Scottish League Cup last season.
Aside from that, Wilson also won two variations of Scotland’s Young Player of the Year award and, for good measure, made a significant entry into the record books as he became the youngest man from his country to play in the Champions League.
No wonder, then, Roy Hodgson was so happy to sign him; a deal was first mooted in the spring while Rafa Benitez was at the helm but only materialised last month after that initial interest was resurrected.
The speed at which it went through might have caught Wilson by surprise – he was hastily withdrawn from Rangers’ pre-season trip to Australia to seal the deal – but the maturity with which the 18-year-old speaks suggest he knows what lies in store.
“The last 12 months have been amazing,” said the young man from Livingston. “It was around this time last year I was in Northern Ireland with Rangers’ reserve team playing in a tournament; after that it still took time to get into the first team squad.
“I went on to play 24 games and it was just amazing. To get this move to cap it all off was just fantastic. Every club has got quality players but sometimes you just need to be given a chance.
“There was never any point when I didn’t think I could play at that level. But I am only 18; I’ve only played a few games and I’ve got so much to learn but I am looking forward to learning here.”
It is often said that Liverpool teams are significantly better for having some kind of Scottish influence coursing through it and the club’s history is littered with men from north of the border who have gone on to become giants.
Unfortunately, there has been no Great Scot since Gary McAllister left at the end of the 2001/02 campaign but if Wilson can go on to enjoy half the impact of some of his illustrious compatriots, he will be in line for a stellar Anfield career.
“I’m very aware of Liverpool’s standing within the game,” said Wilson, who could eventually cost the Reds £5m. “As soon as I heard there was interest I got very excited but, at the same time, I didn’t want to get ahead of myself.
“But once I knew there was a chance of coming to this club, I thought to myself that I definitely would. Everybody knows Liverpool, no matter where you go in the world, as a football club and a city.
“They have won five European Cups and 18 league titles and you just can’t argue with a record like that. I’m just absolutely delighted to be here and I’m going to do all I can to make a success of things.”
Wilson first pulled on a Red shirt in the 1-0 friendly defeat against Borussia Moenchengladbach and impressed with the maturity he showed on the ball, not to mention in his positional sense.
He is, unquestionably, ambitious but Wilson is also a realist and knows he will have to spend time learning from the more experienced figures. Should opportunity knock however, he will be ready.
“If you ask any player, they would rather play than not,” he said. “I’m not going to say I deserve to push out star players out of the team. I understand it will take a while but my aim is to do as well as I can.”
