mulgrew puts himself in frame for scotland
Charlie is ready to answer Strachan’s SOS in defence for World Cup campaign
CHARLIE MULGREW last night told Gordon Strachan he wants to play centre-half for Scotland.
The beleaguered national boss is desperate to find a central-defensive pairing for the make-or-break World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in March.
Previous incumbents Russell Martin and Grant Hanley haven’t been playing regular top-team football at club level.
Strachan watched Mulgrew excel last weekend as Blackburn Rovers defeated QPR in the FA Cup.
In an exclusive interview, Mulgrew told the Sunday Post: “I hope form gets noticed by Gordon Strachan. I love playing for Scotland and I’m desperate to be involved.”
fan and I wanted to feel 100% for every single game.
“I recognised I had to do something about it for the sake of my own career.
“It was a difficult one, but the monotony just got to me.
“It was nothing to do with Celtic because it’s a massive club. It was more the environment I was playing in, and the need for a change away from the Scottish domestic game.
“To get the best out of myself, I felt I needed to test myself elsewhere. I wanted to prove to myself – and to other people – that I could play down in England.
“Sometimes the game in Scotland doesn’t get the respect it deserves from down south and that is ridiculous, really.
“The standard in Scotland is high and deserves credit for the football it produces as well as the fine managers, coaches and players.
“But this was probably my last chance to come back down here and I’m relishing every minute.
“I was at Wolves 10 years ago, but I was young and naive. I didn’t fully grasp the opportunity. Now I’m older and wiser.”
Mulgrew could have stayed at Celtic and been part of the success story under Brendan Rodgers. But even that wasn’t enough to stop him quitting.
But he refuses to rule out the opportunity of going back to the Hoops before he hangs up his boots.
Mulgrew continued: “I loved my time at Celtic. I grew up a Celtic fan and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity given to me by the club to play for them.
“You never know what might happen in the future. Maybe I will play for them again. From my point of view, I’d never rule that out.
“I’m delighted to see them doing so well under Brendan Rodgers. They’re absolutely flying.
“I haven’t missed a game when they’ve been live on the telly, and I took my two sons to see them playing against Manchester City at the Etihad in the Champions League.
“I really hope they can go on and win the Treble this season.
“I’m still in touch with a few of the boys, and I’m particularly delighted to see James Forrest in such excellent form.
“He has great ability, but the previous manager never quite got the arm around him and that’s what James needed.
“Brendan Rodgers has identified