DANNY WILSON proved that if you are good enough then you are old enough against Celtic.

Now he hopes David Bates and Myles Beerman can pass their own Old Firm examinations.

The defender was thrown into a Parkhead encounter by Walter Smith seven years ago and had a point to show for his efforts as Rangers came from behind to secure a dramatic draw.

Smith was denied the services of Madjid Bougherra for the Celtic clash but his loss was Wilson’s gain as he made the most of his chance to impress.

Tomorrow, it could be Bates and Beerman who find themselves in the spotlight if Pedro Caixinha pitches them into battle at Hampden.

Wilson said: “Boogie went to the African Cup of Nations – and I don’t think he was supposed to go!

“I was quite fortunate. We beat Dundee United 7-1 and Boydy scored five. Boogie had that big long mazy run.

“Then he went to the African Cup of Nations. I had been in the team and then obviously he came back in and hit a bit of form. But he had to go away again.

“I was quite fortunate to find myself in the team at that point in time. I was lucky.

“I really enjoyed the occasion. We managed to get a 1-1 draw. Lee McCulloch scored a header. It was a great time to make my debut in that fixture.

“I watched the game back afterwards and a wee while later. It is just a good memory for me.

“Walking out, the atmosphere, the game itself. You don’t really remember too many things that you have done.

“I don’t think we were particularly great that day. But we managed to get a draw. It was a good point for us in the end.

“It has been proven over the years that you can be 18 or you can be 38, it doesn’t matter how old you are, sometimes you will never be ready for these kind of games.

“All you can do is go out there and do the best you can, be as prepared as you can be physically and mentally. The rest will take care of itself.”

With skipper Lee Wallace definitely out of the cup clash, Beerman looks set to retain his place at left-back. Bates faces a more anxious wait to discover if Clint Hill is fit to start, though.

Wilson has shone in the makeshift Gers defence as Caixinha’s side have kept clean sheets against Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle.

And the 25-year-old hopes his young team-mates relish the Old Firm occasion if they are given the nod tomorrow afternoon.

Wilson said: “They are quite fortunate to possibly be involved in a game like this at this stage of their careers.

“I was 18 when I played in my first one and it was a bit of a blur. It might be the same for them.

“If they do play, we have all got a responsibility to look after them and they have got a responsibility to be a part of the team and do what they can.

“I have got no issues with them if they are selected. In the games they have played so far, they have handled themselves very well.

“It is going to be a difficult game so we need everyone to step up. I have got no issues with them doing that.

“Maybe from the outside looking in [it looks as though I have taken on extra responsibility].

“But the team is in a better place and on a better run and I am possibly playing better as a consequence of that.

“We have all stepped up and played well and the Aberdeen game was at a good point for us in the season. We weren’t expected to go up there and win and it was great for us.

“Maybe from the outside looking in it looks like I have taken on responsibility but I always try to be responsible when I play and do as much as I can.”