FORMER Celtic wonder-kid  Tony Watt admits the upcoming campaign is do-or-die as he seeks to kick-start his career. 

The 24-year-old, who has spent periods training with Aberdeen and Dundee in recent months, is a free agent after departing Belgian second division out OH Leuven in February. 

Watt expects to secure a contract with a new club in the coming days and, following stints at Lierse and Standard Liege, intends to remain in British football. 

Read more: Callum McGregor hails Celtic firepower as French duo get set for Champions League​

And he knows it is time to shine – or risk squandering the best years of his career. 

Watt said: “I’m 24 now and at that age where I can’t waste another year. 

“The last year and the year before probably would be seen as a waste. 

“I’m not a young lad anymore. I need to add more games to my CV. 

“I just want to come back now, play my football and get as many games as possible because people are judging me without playing games.

“I want them to be judging me when I’m playing games.

“I don’t think I’m far away from having a club. I’ll stay in the UK, I think. 

“People know what I can do, I don’t really feel like I need to sell myself because I reckon if somebody wants me, they’ll get me.

“The hunger is there, it’s not been in question, a couple of bad decisions in terms of where I’ve went have set me back a year or two. 

“But that’s football, I’ll just need to prolong my career a year or two at the end and get back that lost time.”

Watt burst onto the scene at the age of 18 with his iconic winning goal in Celtic’s 2-1 triumph over Barcelona in 2012. 

Read more: Callum McGregor hails Celtic firepower as French duo get set for Champions League​

However, he has subsequently struggled to hit the heights many predicted given his raw attributes and, allied with his spells in Belgium, he has turned out for Charlton, Cardiff, Blackburn and Hearts with varying degrees of success.

Nevertheless, Watt is adamant he can shrug off stick from his critics who suggest he has not fulfilled his potential. 

The one-time Scotland internationalist added: “I’ve never once come out and said I’m a Champions League player or I should be No 1 for Scotland. 

“People set goals for you, but my goals are fine.

“The people that are negative don’t really bother me, their opinion means nothing. The people I’ve made proud will always be with me.”