.jpg) Wilson withLiverpool in 2012 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel John Wilson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1991-12-27)27 December 1991 (age 33) | ||
| Place of birth | Livingston, Scotland | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Centre back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Livingston | ||
| Number | 27 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006–2009 | Rangers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2010 | Rangers | 14 | (1) |
| 2010–2013 | Liverpool | 2 | (0) |
| 2012 | →Blackpool (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | →Bristol City (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2013 | →Heart of Midlothian (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | Heart of Midlothian | 63 | (9) |
| 2015–2018 | Rangers | 65 | (4) |
| 2018–2023 | Colorado Rapids | 138 | (5) |
| 2022 | →Colorado Rapids 2 | 1 | (0) |
| 2024 | Queen's Park | 10 | (0) |
| 2024– | Livingston | 21 | (4) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2007 | Scotland U17 | 4 | (1) |
| 2008–2009 | Scotland U19 | 8 | (0) |
| 2010–2012 | Scotland U21 | 13 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Scotland | 5 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 June 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 September 2012 | |||
Daniel John Wilson (born 27 December 1991) is a Scottishfootballer who plays as acentre-back forScottish Premiership clubLivingston.
Wilson began his career with Rangers before leaving for English sideLiverpool in 2010. After failing to secure a first-team place he joinedBlackpool,Bristol City andHeart of Midlothian on loan respectively, joining the latter on a permanent transfer in 2012. Wilson returned to Rangers in 2015 on a free transfer, then moved in January 2018 to American clubColorado Rapids.
He has also represented theScotland national team atU-17,U-19,U-21 and at fullinternational level.
Wilson came through the youth team ranks at Rangers and captained the under-19 team. He was tipped early on to have a big future at Ibrox (being compared toAlan Hansen), even drawing interest from other clubs before he had made his professional debut.[3] Wilson had been an unused substitute on several occasions during the latter part of the2008–09 season, including the2009 Scottish Cup Final againstFalkirk.[4]
He made his professional debut for Rangers againstDundee in theLeague Cup, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–1 win in October 2009.[5][6] Just over a week later, he became the youngest Rangers player to play in theUEFA Champions League by starting a 1–1 draw againstUnirea Urziceni, aged just 17 years, 312 days. After the match, Wilson described making his debut as "unbelievable".[7] While veteran captainDavid Weir commented on Wilson, reminding himself as a seventeen years old version of himself.[8] Having made three appearances so far, Wilson says he doesn't expect to have more starts, onceMajid Bougherra made his return.[9] Weir then revealed that both Weir andSaša Papac helped him to handle his step up to the first team.[10] Wilson scored his first goal for Rangers in a 4–1 away victory againstHearts at Tynecastle on 27 March 2010.[11] In mid-March, Wilson is close of signing a new contract, according to ManagerWalter Smith.[12]
After a promising debut season, Wilson was awarded both the Scottish FWA Young Player of the Year award and the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award.[13] He was also voted as Rangers Young Player of the Year by the club's supporters.[14] Upon receiving the awards, Wilson says winning the double in his first season with Rangers is something special.[15] In all for Rangers, he played 26 times and scored once. He was sent off in the2010 League Cup Final againstSt Mirren.[16] After the match, Wilson says his sending off was his first and was gutted, in addition, he felt receiving a red card let the team down.[17]
While in process of signing a contract, Wilson was linked withPremier League sidesAston Villa and Liverpool.[18]
On 21 July 2010, Wilson joinedLiverpool and signed a three-year deal for an initial transfer fee of £2 million, potentially rising to £5 million based on appearances.[19] Two months later, on 22 September 2010, Wilson made his Liverpool debut. He appeared regularly for the reserves in the early part of the season, scoring his first goal for the second-string on 20 October 2010, in a 3–3 draw withBlackburn Rovers atPrenton Park.[20]
He made his debut for the first team on 22 September 2010 in their defeat toLeague Two sideNorthampton Town in the third round of theLeague Cup;[21] Northampton winning 4–2 on penalties after a 2–2 draw.[22] In the January transfer window, Wilson was linked with a loan move to Rangers's Old Firm rivalCeltic.[23] Wilson played for Liverpool in aEuropa League tie withSparta Prague in which he played the full 90 minutes and was praised for his effort by managerKenny Dalglish.[24] He made his firstPremier League start on 27 February 2011 at theBoleyn Ground in a 3–1 defeat againstWest Ham United.[25] On 17 March, he again started a Europa League tie againstBraga.[26] On 2 April, he replaced the injuredDaniel Agger during the first half in a 2–1 defeat away toWest Bromwich Albion.[27]
In the 2011–12 season, Wilson wanted to leave Liverpool to go out on loan, in order to gain first team football experience.[28] Rangers were among the teams interested in signing Wilson.[29] Wilson made his first appearance against his ex sideRangers in a 1–0 friendly defeat on 18 October 2011.[30]
Upon joining Hearts, Wilson says he didn't have any regrets about joining Liverpool and insisted it made him a better player.[31]
On 31 December 2011 it was confirmed that Wilson would joinBlackpool on loan until the end of the season once the transfer window was declared opened the following day. He made his debut in Blackpool 2–1 win againstCrystal Palace.[32]
On 22 November 2012, he was loaned to Championship sideBristol City.[33] He was given the number 40 shirt. Upon joining the club Wilson expressed surprise at the side's then league position which saw it languishing in the relegation zone.[34] He made his first and only appearance for City as a 90th-minute substitute two days later in a 3–1 win away atMiddlesbrough.[35]
On 18 January 2013, he joinedScottish Premier League sideHeart of Midlothian on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season.[36] He was given the squad number four[37] and made his debut the following day from the start atCeltic Park, in aScottish Premier League match againstCeltic, in a 4–1 defeat.[38]
He then played in the Scottish League Cup for the first time in three years when Hearts facedInverness Caledonian Thistle, which Hearts won on a penalty-shootout after a 1–1 draw after extra-time. The win put Hearts into the final.[39] However, there was controversy over his appearance when he last played in the Scottish League Cup, resulted in him receiving a red card three years ago.[40] The Scottish FA stated that Wilson was indeed eligible, stating he served his ban at the beginning of season 2010/11 and the SFA does not operate competition-specific disciplinary procedures.[41] In thefinal againstSt Mirren, Wilson started in the match, partnering a central defender with captainAndy Webster. The match ended with St Mirren winning 3–2 against, having gained revenge on him for three years ago.[42] Since moving to Hearts, Wilson became a regular in the first team and was willing to stay at Hearts for the long term.[43]
On 27 May 2013, it was announced that Wilson would sign a permanent deal with Hearts after his Liverpool contract was up in the summer.[44] The move was initially blocked by theSPL following the club enteringadministration and being unable to register new players,[45] but this was later rescinded and Wilson was confirmed as a Hearts player on 30 June.[46] On 2 July, Hearts made Wilson club captain at the age of just 21, which managerGary Locke quote "a big responsibility for him". It is thought this is the reason for Wilson re-signing with the club.[47]
Wilson's first game at Hearts as captain came in the opening game of the season, in a 1–0 defeat toSt Johnstone.[48] After winning 3–1 againstAberdeen on 24 August 2014, Wilson was involved in a tunnel incident that saw him receive a one match ban.[49] Then in November, Wilson played a role in giving Hearts points in two games when he assisted one goal in a 3–1 win over Aberdeen[50] and another, in a 2–2 draw againstRoss County.[51] Soon, Wilson was on the sideline when he had tonsillitis[52] and scored on his return in a 3–3 draw against St Johnstone.[53] Wilson scored his second goal of the season a month later on 21 March 2014, in a 2–1 loss againstDundee United.[54] His third goal came in a 4–2 defeat toPartick Thistle on 7 May 2014.[55] However, Wilson was unable to help the club survive relegation from the Scottish Premiership. Despite this, Wilson made thirty-three appearances and scored three times in the league. Despite the relegation, Wilson vowed to help the club bounce back to the Scottish Premiership, as he was keen to stay at Hearts when they would be in the Scottish Championship.[56]
In his second season at Hearts, Wilson stated he was looking forward to playing in the Scottish Championship,[57] and he scored the club's first goal of the season in the Championship against his former club Rangers which he refused to celebrate. Hearts went on to win 2–1.[58] Wilson was soon on the sidelines when he strained his hamstring.[59] Wilson made his return againstQueen of the South and scored his second goal of the season, as well as providing two assists in a 4–1 win.[60] Wilson captained Hearts through the 2014/15 season as they won the Championship and gained promotion to the Premiership.[61] Near the end of the season, it was reported by BBC Sport that Wilson had exercised a clause in his contract allowing him to become afree agent.[61]
After leaving Hearts, Wilson signed a three-year contract withRangers on 22 June 2015.[62] Wilson made his second debut for Rangers againstHibernian in the first round of theChallenge Cup on 25 July 2015.[63] Over the course of the subsequent season, he played in central defence alongsideRob Kiernan.[64][65] The pair, however, received criticism for some of their performances.[64][65]
On 29 January 2018, Wilson signed a three-year contract withMajor League Soccer sideColorado Rapids.[66] He made his debut for the club on 27 February 2018 in theirCONCACAF Champions League match againstToronto FC, starting in the 0–0 draw.[67]
Wilson scored his first goal for the Colorado Rapids on 11 May 2019 in a 3–2 home defeat againstReal Salt Lake.[68] He scored his second goal a month later on 28 June againstLos Angeles FC, a lone 49th minute goal to give the Rapids a 1–0 home victory.[69]
Wilson was waived by Colorado on 2 January 2024.[70]
On 1 February 2024, Wilson's return to Scotland was confirmed when he joinedScottish Championship clubQueen's Park on an eighteen-month contract.[71]
On 18 July 2024, Wilson had his contract terminated by mutual consent.[72]
On 15 October 2024, Wilson joined hometown clubLivingston on a short-term contract until January 2025.[73] On 31 December 2024, the contract was extended to the end of the season.[74]
Wilson has represented Scotland throughout various underage levels, including captaining theunder-19 national football team and features for theunder-21 side, He has been involved in the international set-up since the age of 15 and captained the under-19s during 2009.[75] Due to his lack of regular first team football, Wilson dropped back into the under-21 team in October 2011. He was a regular for the Under-21s in their 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign and eventually made five appearances for the team.[76]
On 16 November 2010, Wilson played his first ever game for Scotland, scoring on his debut in a 3–0 win in afriendly against theFaroe Islands.[77] On 27 March 2011, he came off the bench to play againstBrazil in a friendly match at theEmirates Stadium.[78] In an important2012 European Championship qualifying game against theCzech Republic, Wilson came on as a substitute and conceded a late penalty which allowed the Czechs to claim a late point at 2–2. However replays of the incident showed that the Czech player involved,Jan Rezek, had dived under Wilson's challenge, and the refereeKevin Blom later admitted that he had been deceived.[79]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rangers | 2009–10[83] | Scottish Premier League | 14 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | — | 24 | 1 | |
| Liverpool | 2010–11[84] | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5[d] | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |
| 2011–12[85] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2012–13[86] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | |||
| Blackpool (loan) | 2011–12[85] | Championship | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| Bristol City (loan) | 2012–13[86] | Championship | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Heart of Midlothian (loan) | 2012–13[86] | Scottish Premier League | 13 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | |||
| Heart of Midlothian | 2013–14[87] | Scottish Premiership | 32 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 37 | 5 | ||
| 2014–15[88] | Scottish Championship | 31 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[e] | 0 | 33 | 5 | ||
| Total | 63 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 70 | 10 | |||
| Rangers | 2015–16[89] | Scottish Championship | 30 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 4[e] | 0 | 42 | 1 | |
| 2016–17[90] | Scottish Premiership | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 26 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18[91] | Scottish Premiership | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 3 | ||
| Total | 65 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 83 | 4 | ||
| Colorado Rapids | 2018 | MLS | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[f] | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2019 | MLS | 20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 21 | 2 | ||||
| 2020 | MLS | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2[g] | 0 | 11 | 0 | |||
| 2021 | MLS | 29 | 2 | — | — | — | 1[h] | 0 | 30 | 2 | ||||
| 2022 | MLS | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[f] | 0 | — | 29 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | MLS | 29 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2[i] | 0 | 33 | 1 | |||
| Total | 136 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 148 | 5 | |||
| Colorado Rapids 2 | 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Queen's Park | 2023–24[92] | Scottish Championship | 10 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||||
| 2024–25[93] | Scottish Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Total | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | ||||
| Livingston | 2024–25[93] | Scottish Championship | 21 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 6[j] | 3 | 30 | 7 | ||
| 2025–26[94] | Scottish Premiership | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 13 | 1 | |||
| Total | 30 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 6 | 3 | 43 | 8 | |||
| Career total | 341 | 23 | 24 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 414 | 28 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 2010 | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 5 | 1 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 November 2010 | Pittodrie Stadium,Aberdeen, Scotland |  Faroe Islands | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
Rangers
Heart of Midlothian
Livingston
Individual
