Danny Wilson Ready to Build on Liverpool Debut
Liverpool new boy Danny Wilson is looking to progress quickly after making his first-team debut for the club. Although he admitted he was nervous before playing for the Reds for the first time, he said he is determined to force his way into manager Roy Hodgson’s plans for the English Premier League (EPL) season.
The 18-year-old central defender donned the famous shirt for the first time after coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat to German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach on the weekend. Though a defensive error was to blame for the only goal, Wilson was not at fault as Karim Matmour struck for the home side after just eight minutes.
Despite being disappointed by being on the losing side in his debut match, the young Scot was delighted to make his first appearance for his new team. He told his club’s official website that: "It was great. It was my first game and there were some nerves before it. But I felt comfortable when I came on - I have been playing with the boys for over a week now and I'm starting to feel part of it."
"It was nice to be involved so early on I wasn't really expecting it. To get my first 45 minutes under my belt is something I can build on in the coming weeks. But I think it's a bit too early for me to be thinking of getting into the first team on Thursday for the Europa League game (against FK Rabotnicki)," added Wilson.
The defender has not set any personal targets for the 2010-11 EPL season, but admitted he is looking to be playing with the likes of 2010 FIFA World Cup-winning striker Fernando Torres, captain Steven Gerrard and fellow new signing Joe Cole in the first team this season. However, he faces a tough battle to feature in the senior side with the likes of Jamie Carragher, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, and Daniel Agger providing stern competition for the two centre-back slots in the side.
'Trying to prove myself'
Wilson said: "I don't have that high an expectation for this season, I'm just trying to prove myself. I am trying not to set too many targets for myself. I just want to settle in as soon as possible and give the manager something to think about, but it'll be up to him how many games I get. My aim for the season is to be there or thereabouts."
After winning the Scottish Premier League with Rangers in his first season of senior football, Wilson knows what it takes to capture silverware and will be looking to help his new club win some trophies. Fears have been aired in some quarters that the defender has joined the Anfield club at too young of an age. However, Wilson dispelled such claims, claiming he was there to prove his doubters wrong. He said: "I suppose there is a bit of that, but I'm here to do it for myself. People will always have their own opinions, and it's my job to prove those wrong. Hopefully I can do that."
Wilson added that he was keen to explore the city of Liverpool after making a £2 million switch – which could rise to £5 million depending on appearances – from the Glasgow giants. He said: "I've moved down to Liverpool. I've not seen much of the city because I've been training and been away with the team. But I'll try and see a bit of it now. Everybody says it is such a great city and I can see that already. People tell me it's like Glasgow, so hopefully it's just as nice.”
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