PLAYING and training in the blistering heat of the Algarve quickly has players reaching for the ice water.

Mark Wilson is no exception. The only difference is he ignores the need to dowse the burning sensation in his throat and lungs, and instead directs the cooling powers to his knees.

The routine is the same whether he is enduring the 90 degree heat of Portugal, or the biting winds which whip across the club's training centre at Lennoxtown. What he believes is a genetic condition has hampered him since he became a full-time footballer.

Operations have failed to resolve the problem, and managing the condition is now accepted as the only option open to him.

It is a major frustration for the 24-year-old who comes off after every game and training session and automatically begins the process which will allow him to take part in the next one.

The fact Willo was able to complete 90 minutes against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night was testimony to the fact the pain management is working, but he will sit out tonight's game against Cardiff here as a precautionary measure.

It is also credit to the determination and philosophical nature of the likeable full-back that he does not wallow in self pity.

His attitude is that this is the hand - or knees - he has been dealt, and he has to make the very best of it. The healing skills of top surgeon Richard Steadman and the cooling powers of frozen water play their part. Now he must do his.

As he took a break from another tough session here, the man who realised a Bhoy-hood dream by joining the Spl champions in January 2006 opened his medical case book.

He revealed: "I've been told it is kind of genetic and that it was always there. When I turned full-time with Dundee United, I lasted five or six months before I had my first operation.

"I had just turned 17 and made my debut against Dundee and I needed it. So it's been all throughout my career.

"It is just unlucky that I got to a time at Celtic... I mean, I managed to play a lot at United with it."

Perhaps it is more pertinent to say he was fortunate to get to a big club like Celtic, given his condition. And it does raise the question of how he managed to pass the stringent medical.

"Exactly," he concurred. "It was a big worry at the time. But I had played about 150 games for United at that time without a problem so I thought that was the end of it.

"It is unfortunate it came back and was troublesome for a short period. Hopefully, it's away now."

Or, as far away as it is ever likely to be. Given his record of misfortune since signing for Celtic, Wilson knows not to count any chickens.

He surprised even himself by walking straight into the team when he moved from Tannadice, holding down a jersey when he thought he would still be pushing at the door.

But at the start of the following season, it swung back on him - with a vengeance.

Willo recalled: "I broke my foot playing in the Champions League at Old Trafford, then when I came back I did my knee in the January against Rangers.

"I had an operation on it then and came back six weeks later when I played another two or three games, then needed another op on it.

"I was able to take part in pre-season training last summer, and when we went to play in Denver against the MLS All-stars, I took the opportunity to go to Mr Steadman's clinic, which is just a few hours away, to let him check things were going okay.

"I then flew back to see him again when the lads were playing AC Milan at Parkhead in the Champions League in October.

"I needed another op because there was a plenty going on in my knee. There was a lot of scar tissue under the knee cap, cartilage had come off. It was all bits and pieces.

"We know my knees are not great at all, so that was a problem."

He still manages to smile: "I'd be in good nick if I was 80.

"I had to go back for a check- up and to let the surgeons see what was going on the week before we played in Barcelona in March - and I came back in time to play in the Nou Camp, which was a surprise to me."

So, will he forever remain on Mr Steadman's books?

"I don't know if he wants to see me again," he laughs. "I think he's kind of like saying I don't know if I can do much more for you.' "I just need to try and manage it as best as I can. The manager, coaching staff, physios and doc have all be great with me."

Pre-season can give even the healthiest player aches and pains. In Wilson's situation, the forward planning is as important as the running and playing.

But so far, it has all gone well, and the player said: "I came back expecting to miss a few days. I thought I was going to do two days, then miss a day.

"But I've not missed a session, which is fantastic and I'm really pleased with that. I put ice on it after training, precautionary things like that. That's the way it will have to go.

He added: "In terms of doing straight line running, I'm fine. It's more when I am twisting and turning that it takes a pounding.

"I'm hoping that's the worst of it over and that I can get a fair crack at this season because I have not really had that in the past two. When you first come to the club, you are nervous and want to impress the support and the manager.

"I was reasonably happy with my performance in the first five months I was here then thought at the start of the next season, great, I can go for it now.

"I was playing well up until the game at Old Trafford when I had a bit of bad luck to break a bone in a foot.

"I've never really had the platform to try and build on that start since then, and I just hope I can do that now.

"It always seems to be after the ninth game of the each season it goes wrong. So, I want to get past that point this time.

"I'm back to where I thought I would be when I came to the club.

"Fitness wise, I'm fine. But I am back to the point where I need to prove to the manager and the supporters I'm fit enough to play at the level where Celtic operate."