Charlie Mulgrew

For former Gaelic football player and manager, see Charlie Mulgrew (Gaelic footballer).
Charlie Mulgrew
Personal information
Full nameCharles Patrick Mulgrew
Date of birth6 March 1986
Place of birthGlasgow, Scotland
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing positionCentre back / Left back / Central midfielder
Club information
Current team
Celtic
Number21
Youth career
?–2002Celtic
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2002–2006Celtic0(0)
2006→ Dundee United (loan)13(2)
2006–2008Wolverhampton Wanderers6(0)
2008→ Southend United (loan)18(1)
2008–2010Aberdeen72(9)
2010–Celtic119(19)
National team‡
2007–2008Scotland U2111(2)
2012–Scotland16(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 December 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2014

Charles Patrick "Charlie" Mulgrew (born 6 March 1986) is a Scottish international footballer who plays as a central midfielder, centre back or left back for Scottish Premiership club Celtic.

Mulgrew is known for his versatility, free kick and crossing abilities.[1]

Early life

Mulgrew grew up in Kirkintilloch and attended Holy Family Primary School, as well as St Ninian's High School, both in Kirkintilloch.[2]

Club career

Celtic

Having progressed through Celtic's youth system, Mulgrew turned professional in July 2002. Originally playing at centre back, he was soon encouraged to switch to left back due to the shortage of left backs at the club.

Dundee United

In order for him to gain competitive experience, in January 2006 Mulgrew was loaned out to fellow SPL side Dundee United for the remainder of the 2005–06 season.[3] A successful spell at Tannadice saw him feature regularly, scoring twice (both free kicks)[4] in 14 appearances[5] and being named SPL Young Player of the Month for February.[6] He then returned to Celtic hoping to force his way into first team contention, but was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers shortly thereafter without ever appearing for the Celtic first team.[7]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Mulgrew joined Wolves in part exchange for left back Lee Naylor on 23 August 2006.[8] He made his debut for the club on 10 September in a 1–0 win at Leeds United.[9] However, injury kept him out of most of the campaign and he was unable to force his way back into first team contention afterwards.[5]

Southend United

Mulgrew was loaned out to English League One side Southend United at the end of the January transfer window for the remainder of the 2007–08 season,[10] which saw the club lose in the play-offs to Doncaster Rovers.[11] He scored his only goal for the club against Carlisle United.[12]

Aberdeen

Mulgrew was due to join Swindon Town in July 2008 for a fee of approximately £150,000, but pulled out of the move.[13] He eventually left for Aberdeen on 15 July 2008, where he signed a two-year deal,[14] moving for an undisclosed fee.[15]

Mulgrew scored the only goal against Motherwell at Fir Park on 16 August 2008 with a left footed free kick, in his second competitive match for Aberdeen.[16] He scored two goals, a volley and a free kick,[17] against Celtic in a 3–2 defeat on 27 September 2008.[18]

On 16 May 2009, during the penultimate league match of the 2008–09 season at Ibrox Stadium against Rangers, Mulgrew and Rangers' Kyle Lafferty were at the centre of controversy. As Mulgrew made a clearance from his own half, Lafferty made a sliding tackle on him. Both players squared up to each other and Lafferty fell to the ground clutching his face as though he had been headbutted. Referee Stuart Dougal sent Mulgrew off for violent conduct, but television pictures clearly showed that Mulgrew had not made clear contact with Lafferty.[19] Lafferty was seen to wink to a team-mate after Mulgrew had left the field.[20][21] Mulgrew later had his red card rescinded and Lafferty was given a two-month suspension.[22]

In October 2009, Mulgrew was offered a new contract by Aberdeen,[23] but he rejected the deal and left the club at the end of the 2009–10 season.[24]

In 83 games for The Dons, Mulgrew scored 10 goals,[25] including a string of free kicks.[26]

Return to Celtic

Mulgrew playing for Celtic in 2012

On 1 July 2010, Mulgrew returned to Celtic on a three-year deal, becoming new manager Neil Lennon's first signing.[27] On 2 January 2011, having played only a handful of games, he played against Rangers in a 2–0 win at Ibrox on the left wing. Mulgrew excelled as Celtic comfortably won 2–0.[28] On 29 January, he deputised for Daniel Majstorović at centre back against former team Aberdeen in a 4–1 League Cup semi-final win at Hampden Park. He scored his first goal for Celtic in that game, nodding home Kris Commons' corner from close range.[29] Mulgrew became a regular in the centre of defence alongside Majstorović.[30] In the Scottish Cup semi-final on 17 April, he scored his second goal for Celtic from a long-range free kick. Like his first goal, it was at Hampden Park and against Aberdeen.[31] On 21 May, Mulgrew kept up the trend of scoring at Hampden by netting in the final against Motherwell. He scored the final goal of Celtic's 3–0 win with a free kick into the top corner, and helped earn him his first medal in football.[32]

On 25 August 2011, Mulgrew continued his set piece record by scoring a free kick in Celtic's 1–3 defeat to Sion in their second leg UEFA Europa League qualifier.[33] The following day, Mulgrew signed a contract extension at Celtic to keep him at the club until at least 2015.[34] On 17 September 2011 he was sent off against Rangers for a second bookable offence, a challenge on Steven Davis.[35] Mulgrew scored his first SPL goal for Celtic on 15 October 2011, a headed equaliser at Rugby Park as Celtic came back from 3–0 down to draw 3–3 with Kilmarnock.[36] On 7 April 2012, Celtic beat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to confirm them as Scottish Premier League champions. Mulgrew scored two and set up two in the 6–0 win.[37] On 29 April 2012, he scored Celtic's first goal in a 3–0 victory over Rangers.[38] Mulgrew's performances won him the SPL,[39] Players'[40] and writers' player of the year awards for 2011–12.[41] He also picked up Celtic's Player of the Year and Player's Player of the Year awards.[42][43]

On 21 July 2012 Mulgrew was sent off for a deliberate handball in a pre-season friendly against Ajax at the Amsterdam ArenA.[44] As a result he missed Celtic's opening 2012–13 SPL game with his former club Aberdeen.

On 1 August 2012, Mulgrew scored the winning goal in Celtic's 2–1 victory against HJK Helsinki in the first leg of the Champions League Third Qualifying Round.[45]

International career

Mulgrew has represented Scotland at all levels up to and including senior international level.[46][47]

In June 2011, Mulgrew stated that he would consider playing for the United States, whom he was qualified to play for due to an American-born grandmother, if he was continually overlooked for Scotland. In February 2012, Scotland manager Craig Levein handed Mulgrew his first call-up to the senior squad,[47] and he made his international debut on 29 February starting at left back in a 1–1 draw with Slovenia.[48] He also played in a 5–1 defeat to the USA in Florida in May 2012.[49] Mulgrew played in the 2–1 away win over Macedonia in September 2013.

On 7 September 2014, as Scotland began their Euro 2016 qualification with a 2–1 defeat away to Germany, Mulgrew was sent off in stoppage time.[50]

International goals

Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 6 February 2013 Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland  Estonia
1–0
1–0
 Friendly
2. 28 May 2014 Craven Cottage, London, England  Nigeria
1–0
2–2
 Friendly

Personal life

Mulgrew's cousin is Canadian lacrosse player Sean Greenhalgh, who plays for the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League.[2] Mulgrew married Alana in 2013 and has two sons josh and Jacob.[51] Mulgrew has two sons, Josh[52] and Jacob.[53]

In December 2010, Mulgrew and girlfriend Alana were questioned by Strathclyde Police after businesswoman Michelle Mone alerted them when she saw Mulgrew's child left alone in a car in freezing temperatures.[54] The couple were charged with child neglect,[55] although charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence.[56]

Career statistics

As of 3 December 2014[57]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Dundee Utd 2005–06 13210----142
Total 13210----142
Wolves 2006–07 6000001070
2007–08 000020--20
Total 6000201090
Southend 2007–08 181----20201
Total 181----20201
Aberdeen 2008–09 3554020--415
2009–10 374102021425
Total 7295040218310
Celtic 2010–11 230624120353
2011–12 308403071449
2012–13 3054132121499
2013–14 2861010100406
2014–15 80001090180
Total 1191915312340218627
Career Total 2283121318345331340

Honours

Celtic
Personal

References

  1. ↑ Spence, Jim (8 December 2009). "Mulgrew continues Aberdeen talks". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Famous Ex-Pupils". St Ninian's High School. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Dundee Utd land Celtic's Mulgrew". BBC Sport. 5 January 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  4. ↑ Dundee United 2 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 Sporting Life, 18 February 2006
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Player Profile – Charlie Mulgrew Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
  6. ↑ "Awardee Mulgrew backing Brewster". BBC Sport. 5 March 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  7. ↑ Charlie Mulgrew keen to repay faith shown in him by Neil Lennon Scotsman.com, 28 April 2011
  8. ↑ "Celtic & Wolves seal Naylor deal". BBC Sport. 24 August 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  9. ↑ Leeds 0 Wolves 1 UTV Sport, 10 September 2006
  10. ↑ "Southend sign Grant and Mulgrew". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  11. ↑ Sanghera, Mandeep (16 May 2008). "Doncaster 5–1 Southend (Agg 5–1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  12. ↑ Southend ambush piles the pressure on wobbly United Cumberland News, 22 April 2008
  13. ↑ "Mulgrew backs out of Swindon move". BBC Sport. 7 July 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  14. ↑ "Aberdeen take Mulgrew from Wolves". BBC Sport. 16 July 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  15. ↑ Mulgrew Moves On Wolverhampton Wanderers, 15 July 2008
  16. ↑ Aberdeen's Charlie Mulgrew makes Motherwell pay for missed chances The Telegraph, 17 August 2008
  17. ↑ Jan steals in at the last The Observer, 28 September 2008
  18. ↑ Aberdeen sunk by subs Times Online, 28 September 2008 (subscription required)
  19. ↑ Kyle Lafferty conned me into red card, referee Stuart Dougal tells SFA The Telegraph, 18 May 2009
  20. ↑ Red card madness rules at Ibrox on afternoon of chaos and drama Press & Journal, 18 May 2009
  21. ↑ I'm sorry: Apology from Rangers cheat Kyle Lafferty but Dons want tough justice Mail Online 19 May 2009
  22. ↑ Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty resigned to a lifetime of boos for his Mulgrew moment The Telegraph, 16 October 2009
  23. ↑ "No deadline for Mulgrew, say Dons". BBC Sport. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  24. ↑ "Sheffield United end interest in Charlie Mulgrew". BBC Sport. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  25. ↑ Charlie Mulgrew ESPN Soccernet
  26. ↑ Aberdeen 1 – 0 St Mirren: Majestic Mulgrew enlivens dull game with his late late show Scotland on Sunday, 20 September 2009
  27. ↑ "Defender Charlie Mulgrew seals second Celtic spell". BBC News. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  28. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (2 January 2011). "Rangers 0–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  29. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (29 January 2011). "Aberdeen 1–4 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  30. ↑ "Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew content at centre-half". BBC Sport. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  31. ↑ Campbell, Andy (17 April 2011). "Aberdeen 0–4 Celtic". BBC News. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  32. ↑ Conaghan, Martin (21 May 2011). "Motherwell 0–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  33. ↑ "FC Sion 3 – 1 Celtic (agg 3 – 1)". BBC Sport. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  34. ↑ "Bhoys cock-a-hoop as Izaguirre and Mulgrew sign new deals". Mail Online (Associated Newspapers). 27 August 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  35. ↑ Campbell, Andy (7 April 2012). "Rangers 4 – 2 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  36. ↑ McGuire, Annie (15 October 2011). "Kilmarnock 3–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  37. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (7 April 2012). "Kilmarnock 0–6 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  38. ↑ "Celtic 3–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 29 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  39. ↑ Campbell, Andy (8 May 2012). "Celtic pick up trio of Clydesdale Bank Premier League awards". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  40. ↑ "Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew named player of the year". BBC Sport. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  41. ↑ Forsyth, Roddy (3 May 2012). "Charlie Mulgrew caps fine season by being named Scottish Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year". The Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  42. ↑ Sullivan, Joe (30 April 2012). "Perfect day for Celtic's Player of the Year". Celtic FC. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  43. ↑ Cahill, Paul (30 April 2012). "Charlie Mulgrew's Super Sunday". Celtic FC. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  44. ↑ Brannan, Laura (21 July 2012). "Celtic defeated by Ajax in Amsterdam". Celtic FC. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  45. ↑ Celtic 2–1 HJK Helsinki BBC Sport, 1 August 2012
  46. ↑ Charlie and the Bhoys: Celtic eye up shock swoop for Mulgrew STV Sport, 17 June 2010
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 "Charlie Mulgrew and Matt Phillips named in Scotland squad". BBC Sport. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  48. ↑ "Slovenia v Scotland". BBC Sport. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  49. ↑ "USA 5–1 Scotland – as it happened". guardian.co.uk (Guardian News and Media). 29 February 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  50. ↑ Lamont, Alasdair (7 September 2014). "Germany 2-1 Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  51. ↑ "Celtic player and his wife charged with child neglect". Herald Scotland. Herald & Times Group. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  52. ↑ "Celtic star Charlie Mulgrew child neglect charges dropped". Daily Record (Media Scotland). 26 January 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  53. ↑ "Celtic star Charlie Mulgrew wants Europa League glory as tribute to his late father". Daily Record (Media Scotland). 15 December 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  54. ↑ Police question Celtic player over 'child left in car' BBC News, 23 December 2010
  55. ↑ Celtic star faces child neglect charge Scotsman.com, 9 January 2011
  56. ↑ Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew cleared over child in car BBC News, 25 January 2011
  57. ↑ Charlie Mulgrew career statistics at Soccerbase

External links