BREAKING NEWS;Blackburn Rovers announces retirement from football at age 37
Mulgrew, who made 44 caps for the Scotland national team, cut ties with Dundee United at the end of last season.
He has now made the decision to hang up his boots after spending the past couple of months weighing up his options as a free agent.
Mulgrew played for Blackburn from 2016 to 2021 and went on to make 109 appearances during his time at Ewood Park, chipping in with 27 goals.
The versatile defender helped the Lancashire side gain promotion from League One in his second campaign at the club under their former boss Tony Mowbray by firing 14 goals and then adapted well to the step up to the Championship.
Mulgrew slipped out of favour during his final couple of years at Rovers and was first loaned out to Wigan in 2019. He then went on to play 13 times during his stint at the DW Stadium.
Fleetwood Town then came calling on a temporary basis 12 months later and he made 23 outings for the Cod Army in the third tier, finding the net once.
The Glasgow-born man, who also spent time at Celtic, Wolves, Southend United and Aberdeen, departed Blackburn when his contract expired a couple of years ago.
Dundee United subsequently snapped him up for nothing and he moved back up to Scotland after five years below the border in England. He couldn’t prevent the Terrors from relegation to the Scottish Championship though and left earlier this summer as he now announces his retirement.
READ MORE
EJ: Buckley’s strengths have been outlined above. He always wants the ball and, on his day, can dominate a Championship midfield.
Consistency has been the biggest challenge for him under Jon Dahl Tomasson. Sometimes, his laid-back style can see him caught in possession or be a little slow with his passing. He has the talent – the key is unlocking it.
Despite his talent, Tomasson wanted more from Buckley and left him out of the last two matchday squads. The 23-year-old wants to play regularly and, in the end, a loan move was reluctantly agreed.
EJ: Buckley is a laid-back character. He’s been at Rovers since he was a young kid, he’s a local lad and they are his team.
That said, he is not afraid to speak his mind. He’s confident in his own abilities and you have to praise him for wanting to go out and play football, rather than stay in his comfort zone at Ewood Park.
Adam Wharton has insisted Blackburn Rovers are playing well but must sharpen up in the final third to get their rewards.
Rovers were beaten 3-0 by Plymouth Argyle on Saturday in a match that was defined by crucial moments. Ryan Hedges missed a gilt-edged opportunity at 0-0 before a deflected strike gave the hosts the lead.
Argyle’s goal led a charmed life in the second half with more big opportunities failing to find the net. At the other end, two errors were punished and Plymouth came away with, on paper, a comprehensive win.
That has been the story of 2023 for Rovers, who have improved ten-fold with their build-up play and style but undoubtedly need more cutting edge at the top end of the pitch. Wharton is hopeful that will soon follow.
READ MORE: India, Danny Batth and a summer of restrictions – inside Blackburn Rovers’ transfer window
“The way we are playing on the ball, up until that last bit is really good,” he told RoversTV. “It is how the gaffer wants us to play and we are progressing up the pitch really well.
“It is just that final bit that isn’t really clicking for us but I am sure it is going to come at some point in the season, it has to. We just have to keep working hard and putting the work in training, then hopefully in games, it works out for us.”
Rovers fended off Premier League interest in the talented teenager in the transfer window and now hope he can realise his potential at Ewood Park. Playing as many minutes as possible will be key for his development, in the eyes of Wharton.
“Just being involved in the game as much as I can,” he said when asked how he could improve.
“I think I am best when I am on the ball, so just trying to get on the ball as much as I can and try to create chances or start attacks from deeper. Just being as effective as I can and helping the team score goals and win games.
“Since my first few games last season, it is just football games. Every game is the same, you are going out against 11 other players.
“I am comfortable in the team now, I have got used to the physical side of the Championship. It is very physical in every single game, you can’t take your foot off the gas. I think I am progressing well.”
Leave a Reply