Half-back James Wilson was signed by Celtic from Cambuslang Rangers in October 1913.

Loan spells at Vale of Atholl and East Stirlingshire followed before he finally made his senior Celtic debut in a 1-0 league victory at Ayr United on September 2nd 1916. A regular in the 1917 championship winning side Wilson lost his place in the starting line-up the following campaign and after a couple more loan spells he eventually moved to Albion Rovers in March 1919.