Scott Brown will be out to prove just how good he is when he and Joey Barton come face-to-face

The Celtic captain's former Parkhead team-mate, Mark Wilson, believes the first Old Firm match of the upcoming season is going to be a fascinating watch, especially as it is being billed as a personal clash between the two midfielders.

Barton raised eyebrows over the past few days with his public criticism of both Celtic's captain and manager, he questioned the credentials of Brendan Rodgers, which would be seen by many as not the done thing.

Read more: Mark Wilson: If Joey Barton thinks he is going to be the best player in Scotland he is in for a harsh lesson

And such comments would not have been ignored by the champions.

Wilson said: "I don’t think Scott will react publicly because he doesn’t really say much in the press.

"But on the pitch, he’ll definitely have it on his mind in the first Old Firm game. Without a doubt.

“He’s played in games like that before against El Hadji Diouf when he was trying to wind him up and Broony dealt with that in the best possible way. I think Joey Barton will be the same.

“It will be great. They are two quality midfielders who’ve got the attitude and the lines – in Barton’s case – which spices the Scottish game up.

"I can’t wait for the first Old Firm game when they come face to face."

Baron has never won a major honour, has no Champions League experience and won only a single cap for England.

In stark contrast, Brown has 11 winners' medals, 60 European games and 50 Scotland caps under his belt.

And so when asked whether, as Barton stated, the Rangers man is in a different league to Brown, Wilson said: "Scott Brown has been playing at the top level for nearly 10 years. He’s played in the Champions League and 50 caps for Scotland.

"He’s played in World Cup qualifiers, Euro qualifiers. He’s up there.

"But Barton knows he’s the Celtic leader and is trying to wind him up.

“It will be interesting when they come face to face on the pitch and let the football do the talking.

“Barton was a really good player at Manchester City but probably didn’t fulfil his potential which was maybe down to the baggage he carried.

“I’m hearing he’s a bit of a reformed character now. He will probably think he could have done better but he’s more than good enough to do it in this league.

“If Scott Brown had gone to England then I have no doubt he could have played at a high level. I know he got stick last season but he carried injuries."

The Celtic skipper did come in for quite a lot of criticism last season, but Wilson believes the soon-to-be 31-year-old will prove himself once again after a long rest.

Wilson said: "Scott plays so many games because he doesn’t like to sit out but he’s a quality footballer and gives the team great energy and drive.

"When he was injured last season you could see the difference. But there’s no doubt he could have played in the Premiership.

“Broony has dealt with players trying to wind him up for 10 years because he tries to wind other players up so he knows how to handle it.”