Celtic will cope with Old Trafford pressure, says Wilson

Mark Wilson says Celtic can only get better after the Hoops thrashed newly-promoted Hamilton 4-0 at Parkhead in their Scottish Premier League clash.

The defender has enjoyed an extended run in the Celtic team this season after injuries ruled him out of a large part of the previous campaign.

Celtic have next weekend off due to the international break but then face a tough run of matches, firstly away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle before heading to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.

But Wilson says Celtic have the players to cope with the fixtures and insisted the team was getting better with each game.

“I think Celtic can get better. As the season goes on I think you will see the players improving with each game,” Wilson said.

“I am enjoying my run in the team at right-back. It is hard when you come in for a game and then are left out for the next but hopefully I can stay in the team.

“Andreas Hinkel is injured at the moment but I know there will be a time when I will have to fight for my place in the team but I hope I can hold on to it.”

And Wilson says he hopes to be in the starting line-up for the crucial Champions League match at the 'Theatre of Dreams' after playing a part in Celtic's 3-2 defeat the last time they visited Manchester on European business in 2006.

The defender added: “It was great the last time we were at Old Trafford up until I got injured. I still enjoyed the game as it was a special night.

“There were a lot of Celtic fans down there and it was a fantastic atmosphere.

“We scored two goals at Old Trafford and if we can do that again we have a chance.”

On Saturday Celtic replaced Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 4-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Hamilton at Parkhead.

Shunsuke Nakamura put the Hoops ahead before substitute Georgios Samaras doubled their lead. Scott McDonald made it 3-0 in the second-half before Aiden McGeady sealed the emphatic win with Artur Boruc saving a penalty in between.

Celtic made several changes from the team that went down 1-0 to Villarreal in the Champions League midweek with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink partnering McDonald up front and midfielder Barry Robson being utilised at left-back.

Within seconds of the start Celtic were forced into a change when Vennegoor of Hesselink was replaced by Samaras after the Dutchman was injured going in for a challenge with Brian Easton.

The Hoops took the lead after 25 minutes through Nakamura. A McGeady cross from the right found the Japanese international unmarked at the back post and he took a touch before rifling the ball past Tomas Cerny.

Samaras scored his tenth goal of the season in the 36th minute. The giant Greek side-footed the ball past Cerny after connecting sweetly with a Nakamura cross from the left.

Celtic increased their lead after 75 minutes through McDonald. The Australian came out of a challenge in the box with the ball and then calmly slid the ball under Cerny.

A superb double save from Boruc denied Hamilton a consolation goal after James McCarthy was awarded a controversial penalty after 77 minutes.

McArthur's weak effort was easily saved by the Polish keeper and he got up to palm away the penalty-taker's follow-up header.

McGeady made it 4-0 with eight minutes remaining. Substitute Shaun Maloney showed some excellent skills on the left-wing before cutting the ball back to the Irish international who side-footed the ball into the net.