Danny Wilson

Daniel John Wilson (born 27 December 1991) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Queen's Park.

Wilson had been an unused substitute on several occasions during the latter part of the 2008–09 season, including the 2009 Scottish Cup Final against Falkirk.

He made his professional debut for Rangers against Dundee in the League Cup, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–1 win in October 2009.

Just over a week later, he became the youngest Rangers player to play in the UEFA Champions League by starting a 1–1 draw against Unirea Urziceni, aged just 17 years, 317 days.

After the match, Wilson described making his debut as "unbelievable".

While veteran captain David Weir commented on Wilson, reminding himself as a seventeen years old version of himself.

Having made three appearances so far, Wilson says he doesn't expect to have more starts, once Majid Bougherra made his return.

Weir then revealed that both Weir and Saša Papac helped him to handle his step up to the first team.

Wilson began his career with Rangers before leaving for English side Liverpool in 2010.

Wilson scored his first goal for Rangers in a 4–1 away victory against Hearts at Tynecastle on 27 March 2010.

In mid-March, Wilson is close of signing a new contract, according to Manager Walter Smith.

After a promising debut season, Wilson was awarded both the Scottish FWA Young Player of the Year award and the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award.

He was also voted as Rangers Young Player of the Year by the club's supporters.

Upon receiving the awards, Wilson says winning the double in his first season with Rangers is something special.

In all for Rangers, he played 26 times and scored once.

He was sent off in the 2010 League Cup Final against St Mirren.

After the match, Wilson says his sending off was his first and was gutted, in addition, he felt receiving a red card let the team down.

While in process of signing a contract, Wilson was linked with Premier League sides Aston Villa and Liverpool.

On 21 July 2010, Wilson joined Liverpool and signed a three-year deal for an initial transfer fee of £2 million, potentially rising to £5 million based on appearances.

Two months later, on 22 September 2010, Wilson made his Liverpool debut.

He appeared regularly for the reserves in the early part of the season, scoring his first goal for the second-string on 20 October 2010, in a 3–3 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Prenton Park.

He made his debut for the first team on 22 September 2010 in their defeat to League Two side Northampton Town in the third round of the League Cup; Northampton winning 4–2 on penalties after a 2–2 draw.

In the January transfer window, Wilson was linked with a loan move to Rangers's Old Firm rival Celtic.

Wilson played for Liverpool in a Europa League tie with Sparta Prague in which he played the full 90 minutes and was praised for his effort by manager Kenny Dalglish.

He made his first Premier League start on 27 February 2011 at the Boleyn Ground in a 3–1 defeat against West Ham United.

On 17 March, he again started a Europa League tie against Braga.

On 2 April, he replaced the injured Daniel Agger during the first half in a 2–1 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion.

In the 2011–12 season, Wilson wanted to leave Liverpool to go out on loan, in order to gain first team football experience.

Rangers were among the teams interested in signing Wilson.

Wilson made his first appearance against his ex side Rangers in a 1–0 friendly defeat on 18 October 2011.

Upon joining Hearts, Wilson says he didn't have any regrets about joining Liverpool and insisted it made him a better player.

On 31 December 2011 it was confirmed that Wilson would join Blackpool on loan until the end of the season once the transfer window was declared opened the following day.

He made his debut in Blackpool 2–1 win against Crystal Palace.

After failing to secure a first-team place he joined Blackpool, Bristol City and Heart of Midlothian on loan respectively, joining the latter on a permanent transfer in 2012.

On 22 November 2012, he was loaned to Championship side Bristol City.

He was given the number 40 shirt.

Wilson returned to Rangers in 2015 on a free transfer, then moved in January 2018 to American club Colorado Rapids.

He has also represented the Scotland national team at U-17, U-19, U-21 and at full international level.

Wilson came through the youth team ranks at Rangers and captained the under-19 team.

He was tipped early on to have a big future at Ibrox (being compared to Alan Hansen), even drawing interest from other clubs before he had made his professional debut.