Wilson: Old Firm feud in past

18 March 2011 10:00

Mark Wilson hopes Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final will pass by with Celtic victorious and all the attention on the football rather than the ill-discipline which overshadowed the most recent Old Firm fixture.

Wilson, who agreed a one-year contract extension with a further 12-month option on Thursday, was the match-winner as Celtic progressed in the Scottish Cup at the expense of Rangers in a volatile fifth-round replay on March 2.

But Wilson said: "I would hope that is all forgotten about now. As players you tend to move on. One Old Firm game is totally different to the next. This is a totally different occasion, it's a cup final, a lot of eyes on everyone and a lot has been made of it, so hopefully the players will be on their best behaviour."

He added: "Sunday is an important one, there has been talk of trebles but this is the first chance to win something."

Hoops manager Neil Lennon will watch events at Hampden from the stand as the third game of a four-match ban imposed following his dismissal and subsequent "excessive misconduct" charge following the November 10 clash with Hearts.

A touchline altercation with Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist triggered a second charge for Lennon and an automatic four-match ban, which Celtic believe can be served concurrently with his existing suspension.

McCoist appealed his ban and will be in the technical area on Sunday, but Celtic will have to wait for Lennon to be back on the touchline. It remains to be seen when he will return.

Wilson said: "Hopefully he will return soon and it will definitely help the team with him down the touchline.

"The Hamilton game was a lot quieter. I play close to him and it was a lot quieter in the first half.

"You can notice a difference but the other three guys on the bench are different class and have the same thoughts as Neil. So getting instructions to the team is fine, it's just the passion Neil has is hard to replicate."

Source: PA