Mulgrew claims b in pitch invasion

CHARLIE Mulgrew “saw God” following the pitch invasion which followed Dundee United’s dramatic 2-1 triumph over Ross County in Dingwall last Saturday.

Nicky Clark struck in the 89th minute, sparking delirious Arabs to spill on to the pitch to join in the celebrations.

Kevin McDonald took a shoulder knock, while Tony Watt was unimpressed.

And, appearing on Open Goal’s Keeping The Ball On The Ground show, Mulgrew joked that Clark’s winner almost proved to be lastgasp in more ways than one.

“I nearly took my last breath on Saturday – I thought I was gone,” he laughed.

“Nicky Clark scored and we all celebrated – jumped on top of him.

“The pile-on with the players is bad enough. Next thing, the fans come on top. Not one of them was under 18 stone! I was trying to get a breath.

“The panic... I was just elbowing folk as I got up. I thought I was gone – I saw God at the golden gates!”

Meanwhile, Mulgrew reckons he still has plenty left in the tank after turning 36 in March.

The former Scotland and Celtic defender made 37 appearances – latterly impressing in the heart of midfield – as United secured European qualification and fourth place in the Premiership.

He still has another year left on his contract and is destined to be a pivotal performer next term.

“I feel good. The only thing I do feel is that it takes me longer to recover,” Mulgrew continued.

“So, in three-game weeks, I’m having to start the preparation... straight away on Saturday to get ready for the Tuesday game. That’s hard.

“But for week-to-week games, I still feel good. I’m enjoying it. I’m loving it and I don’t want to look back and think: ‘I should have kept playing’.

“Once you stop, you can’t go back. I just hope when it is time to retire, I realise myself.”

Mulgrew also touched upon United’s impending recruitment drive.

“We (United) will lose a few. We’ll lose big Benji (Siegrist), so we’ll need a keeper,” he confirmed.

“Hopefully we can keep Dylan Levitt, but I don’t know if we will because he is very good.”

Charlie Mulgrew Dundee United fans invaded the pitch following their team’s late winner