Charlie Mulgrew Insists Board Praise Not About Coaching Role

Charlie Mulgrew has dismissed suggestions that his defence of the Celtic board is linked to any desire for a future role at the club.

The former Hoops defender, who has become a regular voice on Scottish football since hanging up his boots, insists his comments are nothing more than his honest opinion.

Mulgrew has been criticised by sections of the support after speaking positively about Celtic’s hierarchy at a time when fans are demanding greater accountability over recruitment. Some accused him of “angling” for a coaching position, but he has now made it clear that his words are not politically motivated.

Mulgrew praised the board’s track record over the past two decades but also acknowledged mistakes during the most recent transfer window. He called for greater transparency around the recruitment process, insisting that supporters deserve clarity.

The former Scotland international also stressed that his stance should not be seen as taking sides between Brendan Rodgers and the club’s directors, but rather as an attempt to present a balanced perspective.

He said: (Go Radio Football Show), “I’ve only ever said my honest opinion. And my honest opinion is this: the board at Celtic for the last 20 years have done a great job.

“I don’t think anybody can argue with that, especially when you compare it directly to what’s happened at Rangers. I think anybody at the club across the city would love a board and a team as well-run as Celtic have done it.

“The recruitment this year hasn’t been up to scratch. We don’t know who does the recruitment, we don’t know what the process is. But I think the board should come out and tell everybody what that is. What’s the recruitment process, what does that look like, who makes the decisions on the signings.

“I think the fans deserve to have their opinion, of course, they pay a lot of money and deserve that clarity over the roles within the club and who does what. That’s my honest opinion, there’s no doubt about it.

“The frontline should’ve been strengthened earlier, I think if someone from the board comes out and says ‘apologies, it was a mistake,’ I think people can accept that.

“But I stand by that it’s not a case of standing by the board or standing by Brendan Rodgers. There’s not a side I’m taking here. I’m giving an overall view on what I know. This is what I think the scenario is.”

Mulgrew’s defence of the board has only highlighted the split among Celtic fans. He talks about stability and financial strength, but many supporters feel those points don’t matter much when the team keeps coming out of transfer windows short of quality. Fans believe the cautious approach that protects the bank balance is holding the team back on the pitch.

Even Mulgrew admitted there’s a lack of transparency around recruitment. Supporters have been saying the same thing for years, they want to know who is making the key decisions and why the squad isn’t being strengthened properly. Without clear answers, frustration will only keep building.

His decision to compare Celtic with Rangers didn’t sit well either. Yes, Celtic are miles ahead domestically, but many fans don’t think being better than Rangers should be the benchmark. The real aim is pushing on in Europe and showing ambition, not pointing to Ibrox’s problems as proof that everything is fine.

For a lot of supporters, Mulgrew’s comments won’t ease the anger. Stability is important, but when the club has huge cash reserves and still leaves Brendan Rodgers short, patience runs thin. Until the board shows more ambition and proper planning, the criticism from the stands is only going to get louder.