Edinburgh side Celtic’s main rivals, says Wilson

Mark Wilson, the Celtic full-back, believes Hearts' ascent into the Champions League has elevated them above Rangers as main rivals to the Parkhead club's domestic supremacy.

The Tynecastle side secured second place in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague with Wednesday night's win over Aberdeen and, by doing so, condemned Paul Le Guen to begin his management at Ibrox with UEFA Cup participation.

Celtic won this season's title with six games to spare but Wilson predicts a stronger challenge next season.

"At the moment, I think so because obviously they've finished second," said Wilson. "It's going to be tough next season because Rangers have a new manager coming in and Hibs will look to strengthen. But Hearts are the main rivals right now because they got second place and we have to look at it that way.

"It's unfortunate for Rangers to miss out on the Champions League but I think it's great for Hearts. They've been there the full season and it would have been cruel on them if they'd fallen at the final hurdle. It'll be a new experience for them and it's a wee bit different for the league to see a team splitting the Old Firm for a change."

Celtic are now hoping Barcelona will defeat Arsenal in the May 17 Champions League final to hand Gordon Strachan's side direct entry to next season's group stage.

With Europe in mind, Wilson is keen to see Stanislav Varga remain at Celtic. The 33-year-old Slovakian defender, who scored a fine goal in the 2-0 midweek win over Kilmarnock, seems likely to be released by Gordon Strachan when his contract expires this summer. Wilson, though, feels his experience adds an important element to the dressing-room mix.

"He's been an excellent servant to Celtic over the years he's been here and, without a doubt, he can still play at the top level," said the Under-21 internationalist. "He's been there in European matches against some quality teams and a guy with his experience is invaluable.

"It's great for people like myself to look around the dressing room and see the likes of Stan Varga, Alan Thompson, John Hartson and Roy Keane.

"These guys can help bring you along in the game and prepare you for the European stage.

"They're quality players and have done Celtic well in the past. Although Roy's only been here a few months, he's been first-class and his performances on the pitch have been excellent. Hopefully, we can keep as many of these guys as possible."

The troubles at his former club have not gone unnoticed by Wilson. He left Dundee United to join Celtic in a £500,000 deal on the day that Craig Brewster agreed to take charge at Tannadice and has watched from afar as the new manager has tasted victory just once in 15 matches.

"It was always hard with United," said Wilson. "No disrespect to them, that's just the team they were. Since Craig Brewster has come in, they seem to be struggling more. I don't know why that is.

"Obviously I was happy coming to a club like Celtic; it was the team I'd supported. Not to get away from United, as such, but I look back and think that I could have been in there with them just now.

"If I was playing in that side, obviously I would be struggling as well and teams wouldn't have looked at me. I was pretty fortunate to get the move in January."

Meanwhile, Keane and Dion Dublin both made sure of Bank of Scotland Premierleague championship medals by making their 10th SPL appearances of the season in the win over Kilmarnock. Varga needs to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday to get a medal.

Taken from the Herald