Charlie Mulgrew: Celtic Need to Strengthen Two Areas After Win vs St Mirren
Celtic kicked off their 2025/26 Scottish Premiership campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St Mirren, a result that ultimately delivered three points but left much room for improvement. Despite claiming all three points thanks to a late winner, the match exposed certain vulnerabilities and areas in which the squad needs urgent reinforcement.
Veteran defender and former Celtic stalwart Charlie Mulgrew has been vocal about the club’s current needs following this fixture. Drawing from his extensive experience and deep knowledge of the club’s demands, Mulgrew stressed that Celtic must focus their recruitment drives on reinforcing two key positions to compete effectively on all fronts this season.
This article dives deeply into Mulgrew’s assessment, the context surrounding Celtic’s current squad, an analysis of the St Mirren match, and how targeted signings can help Celtic maintain their domestic dominance and bolster their European ambitions.
The Match Against St Mirren: A Promising but Imperfect Start
Celtic’s tight 1-0 victory over St Mirren on August 3, 2025, was a mixed bag of performance and strategy.
- The match was decided by an 87th-minute goal from Callum McGregor, highlighting the team’s determination but also underscoring their struggles to break down a well-organized defensive unit.
- Possession was dominant (over 75%), but chances were sparse and the team lacked clinical cutting edge.
- While attacking intensity occasionally flagged, defensive organization held up sufficiently to keep a clean sheet.
- Despite the win, the underlying tactical vulnerabilities were visible — especially in midfield dynamism and defensive solidity.
Mulgrew, speaking as a voice of experience, highlighted that Celtic had stepped up in certain moments — but crucially, they are short in two areas that need strengthening.
Charlie Mulgrew: His Background and Why His Opinion Matters
Charlie Mulgrew is more than just a former player — he is a Celtic legend with intimate knowledge of the club’s demands at the highest level.
- Signing for Celtic in 2010, Mulgrew was pivotal in multiple title-winning campaigns and European outings.
- Known for his leadership at the back and ability to score crucial goals, especially with his head.
- Even post-retirement, Mulgrew remains engaged with Celtic circles, offering insight and analysis as a pundit and mentor.
- His assessment draws from personal experience winning Scottish titles and competing in Europe, lending weight to his opinions on what Celtic need to succeed.
With that pedigree, Mulgrew’s identification of two key areas lends significant credibility to calls for strategic reinforcements.
The Two Key Areas Celtic Must Strengthen According to Mulgrew
Following the St Mirren match, Mulgrew stated that Celtic must bolster two specific zones to make a meaningful impact this season:
1. Defensive Solidity: Strengthening the Backline
While Celtic kept a clean sheet against St Mirren, Mulgrew emphasized the need for more depth and quality in defense.
- Why This Matters: The Scottish Premiership and European competition require robust defensive foundations. Injuries, suspensions, and tactical flexibility necessitate reliable options.
- Areas of Concern: Celtic’s defense has seen some instability in recent years, including inconsistent pairings and lack of experienced cover.
- Potential Solutions: Mulgrew suggested the club seek at least one seasoned centre-back who combines leadership with pace and positional awareness. Such a signing would add stability and protects young or new defenders during long campaigns.
2. Midfield Creativity and Energie
The second crucial area Mulgrew highlighted is midfield creativity, specifically the need for dynamic wingers or attacking midfielders who can unlock stubborn defenses.
- Match Context: Against St Mirren, Celtic dominated but struggled to create clear-cut chances. The lack of innovative wing play or incisive final balls was notable.
- Importance: In both domestic and especially European ties, midfield creativity is essential to break well-drilled teams and to maintain pressure.
- Recruitment Needs: Mulgrew called for at least two wide attacking players capable of providing pace, trickery, and an end product — goals or assists — to complement the strike force.
Why Mulgrew’s Call Resonates with Broader Celtic Challenges
Defensive Issues in Recent Seasons
Despite winning titles, Celtic’s defensive performances have often been criticized:
- Lack of consistency among defenders.
- Vulnerabilities exposed in European matches.
- Injuries forcing frequent reshuffles causing instability.
Securing a high-caliber, dependable center-back would reassure fans and improve the team’s defensive record.
Midfield and Attacking Dynamics
Creativity has been a persistent issue for Celtic:
- The squad often depends heavily on a few key creative individuals.
- Injuries or form dips to these players reduce attacking potency.
- A more diverse attacking threat means improved unpredictability and efficiency.
Mulgrew’s call dovetails with voices from media, fans, and club insiders who recognize the need for more significant attacking options.
What Has Celtic Done So Far in Transfer Market?
Celtic’s summer transfers to date show intent but also underscore Mulgrew’s concerns:
- The club has signed several players, but few have been marquee attacking reinforcements.
- New defenders have arrived, but perhaps not the experienced leader Mulgrew calls for.
- Notable midfield additions may add depth but creative wide players still seem lacking.
- The window is still open, and the club is reportedly scouting options actively.
A summary on CelticWay mentions the “heightened” transfer need, especially noting how winger Benjamin Nygren has factored into recent thinking — signifying ongoing efforts to boost creativity on the flanks celticway.co.uk.
Tactical Implications: How New Signings Could Impact Celtic’s Play
Injecting Defensive Security
- A leadership figure in defense enables better organization.
- Facilitates aggressive pressing when midfielders can reliably cover spaces knowing defenders can cope.
- Reduces vulnerabilities on set-pieces — an area where Celtic sometimes concede avoidable goals.
Providing Wing Dynamism
- Effective wingers stretch opposition defensive lines.
- Increased chance creation through dribbling, crossing, and quick combinations, pivotal in tight games.
- Supports striker(s) by delivering quality service and also adds secondary goal threat.
Together, these areas align with a modern football philosophy blending defensive discipline and attacking flair.
Mulgrew’s Thoughts on Specific Players and Possible Targets
While Mulgrew doesn’t directly name targets in his comments, his expertise and media presence often provide hints:
- Young and talented defenders with experience in mid-table or European leagues.
- Versatile wingers capable of switching flanks and adapting tactical roles.
- Potential mentions or rumours have included players similar to Nygren’s profile — skillful, agile, and versatile wide players.
The Fan Perspective: A Call for Ambition and Action
Celtic supporters generally echo Mulgrew’s sentiments:
- A hunger for decisive transfer activity to back up the management’s assurances.
- Impatience with slow progress in recruiting impact players, particularly in attack.
- A desire for improved defensive certainty to match domestic aspirations and European targets.
The pressure on the club’s board is palpable, as fans recognize the window’s closing timeframe is critical.
Comparing This Season with Last: What Has Changed?
Celtic’s 2024/25 campaign ended with another league title but saw perilous moments domestically and early European exits.
- Defensive frailties caused points drops.
- Lack of attacking depth was evident when key players were out.
- This summer’s moves and Mulgrew’s observations point to lessons learned — with emphasis on targeted reinforcements.
The Role of Manager Brendan Rodgers and Coaching Staff
While the recruitment team plays a key role, managerial input shapes final needs.
- Rodgers has championed pressing and possession styles but needs players to execute complexity.
- Coaching might adapt based on new signings — for example, using a faster winger or a more commanding central defender changes formation options.
- Collaboration between scouting, recruitment, and management is vital to fulfill Mulgrew’s identified priorities.
The Timeline: Pressure to Act Before the Window Closes
The Scottish Premiership transferred window typically closes by late August or early September, suddenly sharpening the timeline.
- Critical days lie ahead to conclude negotiations.
- Any delay risks losing targets to other clubs or forcing last-minute reactive moves.
Conclusion: Addressing the Gaps to Restore Celtic’s Dominance
Charlie Mulgrew’s call for reinforcement in defense and attacking wing positions after the St Mirren victory sets a clear agenda.
- Celtic must act decisively in transfer markets to navigate a competitive season.
- Addressing these areas will help ensure not just a strong start but sustainable challenge domestically and in Europe.
- Combining defensive stability with attacking creativity will be the blueprint for success.
As fans watch eagerly, Celtic’s leadership faces crucial decisions — shaping the future of a club steeped in history but hungry for sustained excellence.
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