WILSON made the breakthrough to Walter Smith's top team in the 2009/10 season with a string of composed performances when filling in for Madjid Bougherra.

A tall, left-sided central defender, Danny had been a regular figure in Billy Kirkwood's under-19 side and captained the team that came so close to completing a third consecutive league and cup double in 2008/09.

Such was his early potential he quickly pushed his way in to the Reserve set-up and Danny was named on the top team bench for the first time in the Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth round-tie against St. Johnstone in January 2009.

It was nine months later that Wilson would earn his first competitive appearance for the first team when he lined up in a Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter final tie against Dundee in October 2009.

His steady performance in a central defensive pairing with Sasa Papac earned the then 17-year-old widespread praise, including from manager Walter Smith.

Just over a week later he again drew praise on his Champions League debut as he slotted in alongside Davie Weir and looked like he had been part of the team for years.

Those were two of six consecutive starts for the top team as well as an SPL debut that was ultimately wiped from the records when the meeting with Dundee Utd at Tannadice was abandoned at half time.

Wilson then dropped out of the team with Bougherra's return but was again recalled to the first team for an Old Firm debut in the New Year derby at the start of 2010.

That game came just a week after his 18th birthday, an occasion that also marked his promotion to the senior ranks at Murray Park along with fellow teenager John Fleck.