Mark Wilson (Scottish footballer)

Mark Wilson (born 5 June 1984) is a Scottish football player and coach.

Mark Wilson
Wilson in August 2007
Personal information
Full name Mark Wilson[1]
Date of birth (1984-06-05) 5 June 1984
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Position(s) Right back
Youth career
2000–2002 Dundee United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2006 Dundee United 117 (8)
2006–2012 Celtic 98 (2)
2012–2013 Bristol City 8 (0)
2013–2015 Dundee United 14 (0)
2015 Dumbarton 11 (1)
Total 248 (11)
National team
2004–2006 Scotland U21[2] 19 (0)
2011 Scotland 1 (0)
Teams managed
2016–2017 Airdrieonians
2019–2020 Brechin City
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Wilson, who played as a right back, started his career at Dundee United. He broke into their first team in the 2002–03 season, and made over 100 league appearances for United before He moved to Celtic in January 2006 for a fee of £500,000. Wilson suffered significant injury problems while with Celtic, which limited his appearances, and he was released at the end of his contract in 2012. He then signed for English Championship club Bristol City before rejoining his first club on a short-term contract in 2013. He left Dundee United in January 2015, signing for Dumbarton the following month.

Wilson represented Scotland at all youth levels and captained the under-21 team. He played once for the Scotland national football team, in 2011.

He retired from playing football in 2015. Wilson was the head coach of Scottish League One club Airdrieonians during most of the 2016–17 season. He was appointed Brechin City manager in September 2019, but was sacked from this position in October 2020.

Early life

Mark Wilson was born in Glasgow on 5 June 1984. He attended St Ambrose High School in Coatbridge.[3]

Club career

Dundee United

Wilson started his career with Dundee United. He joined as a youth player, turned professional in 2000 and made his senior début in January 2002. Signing a new two-year contract just months later,[4] he began the next season as a regular. Wilson scored his first goal in December 2002, a header opening the scoring in a 1–1 home league draw against Hibernian.[5] Five days later, Wilson was announced as the SPL Young Player of the Month for November, saying it was a "great honour to be given this award".[6] Before the end of that season, Wilson signed a new three-year contract, committing himself to the club until the end of the 2005–06 season.[7]

In November 2004, Wilson was wrongly sent off in the derby match against Dundee, being mistakenly penalised for handball when television evidence showed he headed the ball. However, SFA rules dictated that, despite the error, an appeal could not proceed, as such appeals can only proceed on the basis of violent conduct or mistaken identity.[8] The decision not to overturn the dismissal – the first of Wilson's career – drew criticism from journalists, being dubbed a "huge mistake".[9]

Days later, it emerged that Premier League side Everton had approached Dundee United about signing Wilson,[10] although no offer materialised.

Wilson's international exploits were attracting further attention and after being confirmed in April 2005 as one of the nominees for the SPFA Young Player of the Year award,[11] Manchester City were confirmed as planning a move to sign the defender, just one of "several Premier League club" showing an interest.[12] Despite the renewed interest from England, Wilson confirmed he would like to "stay...for the foreseeable future",[13] and signed a new two-year contract in August 2005, extending his stay until the summer of 2008.[14]

Celtic

In early January 2006, it emerged that Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Glenn Hoddle had shown interest in Wilson during the summer and Heart of Midlothian had made an "active enquiry", with Celtic and Leeds United also showing an interest in the player who had a £500,000 release clause inserted in his new contract.[15] By the middle of the month, Celtic were rumoured to be close to completing the signing of Wilson[16] and on 16 January, Wilson signed for the club his family had "supported all their life". Signing for £500,000, Wilson received 25% of the fee under the terms of his contract.[17] He made his debut two weeks later, against Dundee United, playing at right-back in the 3–3 home draw.[18] Wilson suffered a number of injuries in his first full season at Celtic: a broken foot,[19] knee injury[20] and subsequent knee operation.[21] He was also cup-tied for Celtic's victory in the 2006 Scottish League Cup Final.[22]

Wilson became more of a regular in the Celtic side under the management of Neil Lennon. On 1 February 2011, he scored his first goal for Celtic in a 3–0 victory against Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium.[23] He got his second goal just 12 days later when he put Celtic 2–0 ahead against his former club Dundee United at Tannadice. On 2 March 2011 during the Scottish Cup fifth round replay against Rangers at Celtic Park, Wilson scored the only goal in what would turn out to be an ill-tempered Old Firm fixture with Rangers receiving three red cards.[24]

It was reported on 30 January 2012 that Wilson was in talks with Leeds United over a potential loan for the remainder of the 2011–12 season, but no deal materialised. On 3 May, Wilson captained Celtic in their 1–0 win against St Johnstone. After the game it was revealed that Wilson would be leaving the club at the end of the season so had been given the captaincy for his last match.[25]

Bristol City

Wilson played as a trialist for Bristol City in a pre-season friendly on 30 July 2012.[26] He signed a short-term contract with the club on 16 August.[27]

Wilson was released by Bristol City at the end of the 2012–13 Championship season, along with another defender Matthew Bates.[28]

Return to Dundee United

On 20 August 2013, it was announced by Dundee United that Wilson had rejoined his first senior club, initially on a short-term contract until January 2014.[29] Wilson previously stated he could not rule out returning to the club, stating that Dundee United is "always in my heart".[30]

After six months with the club, Wilson signed an 18-month contract with the club.[31] On 12 April 2014, he started in the Scottish Cup Semi Final at Ibrox. United beat Rangers 3–1 to progress to the Scottish Cup Final.

On 13 January 2015, Dundee United announced that Wilson was leaving the club, with his contract being terminated by mutual consent.[32]

Dumbarton

On 12 February 2015, Wilson signed for Dumbarton on a contract until the end of the 2014–15 season.[33]

He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat to Rangers with a volley from the edge of the box.[34] He left the club in June 2015.[35]

International career

Wilson appeared over 30 times for his country in youth internationals up to and including under-21 level. He featured in the 2001 UEFA Under-16 Championship.[36] In February 2004, Wilson won the first of his nineteen caps for the Scotland under-21 side, starting in the 2–1 friendly defeat at home to Hungary under-21.[37] Wilson was named in the Scotland Future squad to face Germany B in December 2004.[38] He started the game, which ended in a 3–0 defeat for Scotland.[39]

Wilson believed that his move to Celtic would enhance his chances of selection for the full national side, but these hopes were denied by a succession of injuries that limited his appearances for Celtic.[40] He was selected by Craig Levein for a friendly game against the Faroe Islands in November 2010, but withdrew due to injury.[40]

Wilson was again named in the Scotland squad in February 2011.[40][41] Wilson won his first international cap when he replaced Phil Bardsley during the Nations Cup match against Northern Ireland.[42]

Coaching career

After Kevin McBride departed Scottish League One club Airdrieonians, Wilson was then appointed Head coach on 31 October 2016.[43] Wilson was in charge of first-team affairs, working under Director of football, Gordon Dalziel.[44] His 1st game in charge resulted in a 2–1 win at Cliftonhill stadium against Albion Rovers. Airdrie finished third in 2016–17 Scottish League One, but were defeated in the promotion playoffs by Alloa Athletic. Wilson left Airdrie in June 2017, by mutual consent.[45]

On 4 September 2019, Wilson was appointed manager of League Two side Brechin City.[46][47] Brechin finished last in the curtailed 2019–20 Scottish League Two season, but avoided a relegation playoff as it was cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic.[48] Wilson was sacked by Brechin after a bad start to the 2020–21 season.[49][50]

Career statistics

Playing career
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[51]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dundee United 2001–021010000020
2002–03261104000311
2003–04323101000343
2004–05374524100467
2005–06210101020250
Total1178921012013811
Celtic 2005–06150000000150
2006–07120100030160
2007–08110000050160
2008–09180002050250
2009–10100101030150
2010–11252513000333
2011–1270001030110
Total98271701901313
Bristol City 2012–138010000090
Dundee United 2013–14140302000190
2014–150000000000
Total 140302000190
Dumbarton 2014–15 111000000111
Career total 2481120319121030815

Managerial career
As of match played 24 October 2020
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Airdrieonians October 2016 June 2017 28 12 2 14 042.86
Brechin City September 2019 October 2020 29 3 6 20 010.34
Total 57 15 8 34 026.32

Honours

Dundee United

Celtic

Individual

  • SPL Young Player of the Month: November 2002

References
  1. "Mark Wilson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  2. "Scotland U21 Player Mark Wilson Details".
  3. "Wilson studying history for the moment his football career is a thing of the past". The Herald. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  4. "Dundee Utd turn to youth". BBC Sport. 12 April 2002. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  5. "All square at Tannadice". BBC Sport. 7 December 2002. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  6. "Wilson wins young player award". BBC Sport. 12 December 2002. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  7. "Wilson commits to Tannadice". BBC Sport. 26 February 2003. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  8. "McCall wants clemency from SFA". BBC Sport. 8 November 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  9. Young, Chick (16 November 2004). "Chick Young: Rules are archaic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  10. "Everton chasing defender Wilson". BBC Sport. 20 November 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  11. "Novo in hunt for Players' prize". BBC Sport. 11 April 2005. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  12. "Man City want Dundee Utd's Wilson". BBC Sport. 23 April 2005. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  13. "Wilson considers United extension". BBC Sport. 30 May 2005. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  14. "Wilson completes United extension". BBC Sport. 5 August 2005. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  15. "Hoddle cool on swoop for Wilson". BBC Sport. 5 January 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  16. "Thursday's gossip column". BBC Sport. 12 January 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  17. "Celtic secure signing of Wilson". BBC Sport. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  18. "Celtic 3–3 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 28 January 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  19. "Celtic's Wilson has broken foot". BBC Sport. 15 September 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  20. "Wilson knee injury woe for Celtic". BBC Sport. 22 December 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  21. "Wilson set to miss season finale". BBC Sport. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  22. "Match Preview - CIS Insurance Cup Final 2006". spfl.co.uk. 18 March 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  23. Murray, Keir (1 February 2011). "Aberdeen 0-3 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  24. Campbell, Andy (2 March 2011). "Celtic 1-0 Rangers". BBC News.
  25. "Mark Wilson: Once a Celt, always a Celt". Celtic FC. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  26. Grahame, Ewing (31 July 2012). "Profligate Kilmarnock punished by Bristol City". sport.scotsman.com. Johnston Press. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  27. "Bristol City sign former Celtic defender Mark Wilson". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  28. "Cole Skuse and Jon Stead released by Bristol City". BBC Sport. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  29. "Dundee United: defender Mark Wilson returns to Tannadice". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  30. "MDundee United v Inverness: Mark Wilson would be happy with Tannadice return". The Courier. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  31. "Mark Wilson agrees to stay on at Dundee United". BBC Sport. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  32. "Dundee United: Mark Wilson to leave club by mutual consent". BBC Sport. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  33. Findlay, Alan (12 February 2015). "WILSON BECOMES A SON". Dumbarton F.C. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  34. Scotl, Alasdair Lamont BBC; Stadium, at the Bet Butler. "Dumbarton 1-3 Rangers".
  35. "Mark Wilson backs PFA Scotland scheme to help jobless players".
  36. "Under 16 Internationals, 2000/2001". Scottish FA. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2007.
  37. "Scotland U21 1–2 Hungary U21". BBC Sport. 18 February 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  38. "In-form players get Scotland call". BBC Sport. 29 November 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  39. "Germany B 3–0 Scotland B". BBC Sport. 7 December 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  40. Pattullo, Alan (3 February 2011). "Mark Wilson's cap hopes had all but gone". The Scotsman. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  41. "Blackburn's Grant Hanley gets first Scotland call-up". BBC Sport. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  42. Lindsay, Clive (9 February 2011). "Wednesday football as it happened". BBC Sport.
  43. "Club statement". Airdrieonians FC. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  44. "Airdrieonians: Mark Wilson & Gordon Dalziel form new management team". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  45. "Mark Wilson: Airdrieonians part with head coach by mutual consent". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  46. https://brechincity.com/bcfc/p/n/2193
  47. "Brechin City: Mark Wilson is named new manager of League Two side". BBC Sport. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  48. Smith, Tyrone (16 June 2020). "SPFL a 'private members' club' - Brora chairman". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  49. Roache, Ian (27 October 2020). "BREAKING: Brechin City sack ex-Dundee United and Celtic star Mark Wilson as manager following terrible start to new season". The Courier. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  50. "Mark Wilson departs as Brechin City manager". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  51. Mark Wilson at Soccerbase
  52. "Celtic 1–0 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  53. "St Johnstone 2–0 Dundee United". Daily Telegraph. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  54. "Celtic 2-0 Rangers". BBC. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
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