Barry Robson is more likely to jump out of a 50-50 challenge than he is to bask in a self-congratulatory glow. And the chances of him doing the former are non-existent. 2008 was a life-changing year for the Celtic midfielder.

Barry Robson is more likely to jump out of a 50-50 challenge than he is to bask in a self-congratulatory glow. And the chances of him doing the former are non-existent. 2008 was a life-changing year for the Celtic midfielder. In the space of 12 months, he finally sealed his big move from Dundee United and took his career to the next level with impressive performances domestically and in Europe.

He now has a league winner's medal in his possession after Celtic's incredible resurgence to win their third title in a row, a late flourish in which Robson played a pivotal role. He could be forgiven for giving himself even a small pat on the back, but there is a relentless intensity to him.

Few players can match the midfielder in terms of work ethic. Robson's first thought on walking through the door at Celtic Park was not that he had made it. It was a realisation that he would have to work harder. Much harder. He has done. Gordon Strachan rhapsodises about the attitude, commitment and adaptability of the player, whose innate self-confidence is offset by a humility, an acknowledgement that he shares a dressing room with more exalted talents. Some may have more pace, or more skill, or more of a goal threat, but no-one works harder. Intriguingly, he refers to 2008 as "an emotional year" but the way he has approached the challenges he has faced speaks of a ruthless pragmatism.

"It's been a lot of hard work and it gets harder and harder every season when you get back," he reflected. "People tend to think you have come to a club like this and you have made it, but you need to try and improve even more, to work even harder. You need to come in every day and work harder than everybody else to stay here.

"I'm a better player than I was a year ago. Working under the manager here has given me a new outlook on football and shown me different ways of playing. I've played in Europe against better players. It has been a good year."

Robson turned 30 last year but is in his physical prime. One of the main assets he offers Celtic is a physical presence. Against Rangers last weekend, Strachan shrewdly switched Koki Mizuno with Robson to combat the strength of Charlie Adam on the Rangers left. When the Rangers midfielder ploughed into Robson soon after, the latter leapt to his feet and eyeballed him fiercely. Adam mouthed off. Robson just stared. The gesture said it all, Don't try that again'. Adam didn't and was eventually hooked just after an hour.

A strict fitness routine at Celtic has added power and pace to an already imposing frame. He firmly believes that Celtic have not seen the best of him. "I still think the best couple of years are ahead of me. I know that for sure. I feel fitter and stronger now than I have ever done, especially in sprint and strength tests. The next two or three years could be my best ones."

Robson will face his former club, Dundee United, at Celtic Park today and knows the importance of sustaining the momentum built up by last weekend's 1-0 victory over Rangers. "If we draw a game and Rangers win then it is back to five points and it is wide open. We tend to think just now that it still is wide open. It was a good result last weekend, we enjoyed it just after the game but after that we have been concentrating on Dundee United. It's not a time to be revelling in one victory."

Today's game will also have Robson up against his friend and former team-mate Lee Wilkie. Their relationship is deeper than just the usual shared banter of the dressing room. Robson respects Wilkie because, like him, he knows the value of hard work. Just as Robson has fought his way to the top level, so Wilkie has valiantly returned from a career-threatening knee injury. The Celtic midfielder exudes pride when speaking about his big friend.

"He's proven to people now that he is back from his knee injury. He's answered his critics. He is a top player, he's a winner, but he also works hard at his game. I don't think people realise that after training he goes up to the Next Generation gym and works really hard on his leg muscles to protect his knees. The big man deserves everything he gets.

"I think he has proven now that he is ready to step up a standard. It'd be great for Dundee United if he stayed but I wouldn't be surprised if someone came in for him." Robson also believes that Wilkie's excellent form could have him add to his nine Scotland caps. "He can definitely get back into the Scotland squad. He's a good player, strong, and he can shift when he gets those big legs going."

Robson was signed by Ian McCall for Dundee United and eventually sold to Celtic by Craig Levein. He is convinced that the Dundee United manager, like Wilkie, is also capable of performing at a higher level. "He's going to go on and be a good manager somewhere. I was very impressed when I worked under him and he helped me as a player. He teaches you things as a squad and makes sure you are well-drilled for the next game. He studies other teams in depth and shows you their weaknesses and strengths. He is similar to Gordon in some ways. I've learned so much from both of them."