Hearts sign Liverpool’s Scottish international defender Danny Wilson on six-month loan

By ANGUS WRIGHT
Published on Friday 18 January 2013 23:29

HEARTS have moved quickly after their registration embargo was lifted to bring Liverpool defender Danny Wilson to Tynecastle on loa.

Hearts confirmed Wilson had joined on a six-month deal and could play against Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions Celtic this afternoon.

The former Rangers defender has struggled to win a first-team place at Anfield and has spent time on loan at Blackpool and Bristol City since leaving Ibrox in July 2010. Wilson has made nine first-team appearances for the Reds and his spell at Bristol City saw him play just once, as an 89th-minute substitute against Middlesbrough in November.

Manager John McGlynn said: “Danny is a quality player and someone we know a lot about. Even at such a young age, he brings a lot of experience and not only will he be a very good addition to our squad, he will be a good influence on the young players we have here.

“He has been playing regularly down south so fitness won’t be a problem, and hopefully it won’t be long before we see him in a Hearts shirt.”

The centre-back’s arrival comes as Marius Zaliukas prepares to serve a suspension at Celtic Park.

The Scottish Premier League lifted the transfer ban after players were paid on time in January following recent delays. McGlynn is still restricted to signing players who are deemed under 21 under SPL rules on a one-in, one-out basis and who are on lower wages than those leaving. The 21-year-old Scotland international falls into that category and McGlynn acted after selling Ryan McGowan to a Chinese club. He still has the ability to bring in another player after goalkeeper Peter Enckelman left at the end of his short-term deal.

Wilson was unsure last night whether he would be in the Parkhead squad but he feels ready to play. He told Hearts TV: “I played in an under-21 game on Monday so I’m as fit as I can be and I’m ready to go. I’m ready to play.

“I just got the call this morning and I can’t wait to get started. I need to play football and I’ve been told I’ll get the opportunity here. I always keep in touch with the SPL and watch a lot of football, and once I knew Hearts were interested I was delighted to come up.”

Wilson saw Hearts earlier this season when they drew 1-1 at Anfield on their way to a narrow Europa League defeat. “I was in the stand watching,” Wilson said. “They did very well that night and were unlucky. They took a great crowd down and I thought what a great club it is.”

Taken from the Scotsman