Mark Wilson eager to cement his Celtic place

The 27-year-old former Dundee United player has struggled, mainly through injuries, to nail down a regular first-team spot at Parkhead since arriving from Tannadice in January 2006.

He established himself at full-back in the second half of last season before helping the club lift the Scottish Cup in May.

Wilson is now eager to keep the momentum going despite the fierce competition for places in his position.

"Of course I am very determined," Wilson told Celtic's official website. "There are a lot of right-backs at the club just now all vying for the one position so it's important to start the season well.

"That means getting as many 90 minutes' in as I can before the season begins and showing the coaching staff that I am good enough to start the season, but I'm sure the other right-backs will be feeling the same. So it's important for me to get off to a good start and hopefully kick-on from where I left off last year."

After spending the opening week of the Australian tour in Sydney, which culminated in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Central Coast Mariners, Lennon's men have relocated to Perth where they have upped their training at the famous WACA cricket ground since arriving in the city on Monday.

Wilson shrugged off the travel exertions to look forward to another tough test against Perth Glory on Saturday.

"It's been great so far," said the Scotland cap. "There has been a lot of travelling which makes you feel a bit tired at times, but once we get back on the training pitch it has been great. There are great facilities considering we are training at a cricket ground, but, all in all, it's been a great trip so far."

Meanwhile, Celtic added another friendly to their summer agenda when they revealed they will take on Cardiff on Wednesday, 20 July.

The meeting will take place a fortnight before Neil Lennon's men travel to Wales for a challenge match against Swansea.