Kelvin Wilson relishes chance to play in Old Firm game

Celtic's latest signing Kelvin Wilson says he cannot wait to take part in an Old Firm derby.

The central defender came to Glasgow for two of last season's meetings and is fully aware of the controversy that surrounded some of the fixtures.

But Wilson, 25, says that has only whetted his appetite, now that his move from Nottingham Forest is complete.

"I definitely want to get involved in that. Every player wants to play in pressure games," he said.

"It's not good playing in a comfort zone all your career and coming here's going to take me out my comfort zone."

Wilson, who stressed he would only have left Forest for a "bigger club", admitted it had been frustrating not being able to make the move to Celtic in January.

Celtic had offered Forest a six-figure fee to tempt them to part with the player in the transfer window. At the time, centre-halves Daniel Majstorovic, Glenn Loovens and Thomas Rogne were injured and Jos Hooiveld was at Copenhagen on loan.

But the Championship side, who paid Preston £300,000 for Wilson in 2007, held firm and he signed a pre-contract agreement instead, after which he failed to play a game for Forest as they narrowly missed out on promotion.

However, Wilson dismissed suggestions of a fall-out with the Forest manager Billy Davies, adding that injury had been the biggest cause of his absence.

"It has been hard because your heart is somewhere else (when you sign a pre-contract)," said Wilson at a media conference at Celtic Park.

"Forest understood that. January was probably the right time to come but I didn't come and it was hard for Forest and for me.

"I had four great years there, I enjoyed it and got on with everyone and I left on good terms.

"I always got on with him (Davies). He signed me at Preston and then he got the job at Forest, so I always got on with him.

"He made it clear that if players wanted to move on they could move on but I don't know what went on between the two clubs, I'm just a player."

And he added: "But I'm delighted that it's all sorted and I am here now and I'm looking forward to it, I am delighted.

"I am obviously not match fit but that won't take long."