Former Celtic star Charlie Mulgrew has taken his first steps into coaching at Hamilton Accies and says ‘ahead of his time’ Hoops legend Tommy Burns has been a big influence on his management dream.
The 38-year-old was appointed as the new under-18s coach at New Douglas Park last week and has now taken his first sessions with the crop of youngsters at Accies who are looking to make a name for themselves in the game.
Mulgrew knows just how the talented teens will feel, having been part of the youth setup at Celtic looking to break into the first team when Burns was head of youth in Glasgow’s East End back in the early 2000s.
Mulgrew eventually launched his senior career away from Parkhead and then returned to the club as Neil Lennon’s first signing as boss in 2010, just a few years after Burns tragically passed away.
But speaking exclusively to Lanarkshire Live Sport, Mulgrew says Burns’ influence he picked up as a youth is still with him today. The former Scotland international, who has been joined at Accies in a coaching capacity by former Celtic goalkeeper Gordon Marshall, said: “I have learned a lot from every manager that I worked under. There was stuff I would do, stuff I wouldn’t do and stuff I think could have been better.
“I was speaking to big Gordon Marshall the other day about Tommy Burns and we both agreed he was ahead of his time. He was all about total soccer and playing football. He visited Ajax for 10 days back in the 1990s and came back with these ideas of how to play the game.
“I remember when Martin O’Neill was manager at Celtic [between 200-2005], Tommy was head of youth and he taught us a lot about the game and he was all about total football when it wasn’t really fashionable, so he really was ahead of his time when you look at the game now.
“I learned a lot from Tommy and he has been a big influence on me. And all the experience and knowledge I have gained down the years makes me the person I am today and how I see the game.”
He added: “My goal is to go as far in management and coaching as I can. I have got a lot of learning to do and I’m not naive enough to think otherwise. I want to get as much out of this role at Hamilton as I can, learn from the manager [John Rankin] and all the coaches here.
“You might have your own ideas on how you see the game but you can always tweak that and learn from different minds, and how they see it.
“I eventually want to be a head coach in my own right but I am in no rush at the moment. I am looking forward to putting into practice what I preach with the 18s.”
Capped 44 times for Scotland, ex-midfielder Mulgrew has experience in the Champions League with Celtic and can call on other spells in the Premiership with Aberdeen and Dundee United, as well as spells down south with Wolves, Wigan and Blackburn Rovers.
He has also played under some experienced campaigners in the dugout from Gordon Strachan, during his Scotland days, to Tony Mowbray at Celtic and Blackburn, as well as Owen Coyle at Blackburn.
Asked what he has held onto from his previous coaches down the years, Mulgrew added: “What has really stuck with me is being brave, showing bravery on the ball. That comes from a leader in the team. If the leader is brave, the players can then be brave.
“I think hard work goes a long way as well and that has to be the minimum. You’ve got to run harder than the opposition and be brave to take the ball. I also think putting the person before the player is important. Understanding the player first and what he is going through, being empathetic to his needs on and off the pitch, because if you get the best out of the person, you will get the best player on the pitch who wants to run for you, who wants to take the ball. Getting that trust, through being authentic, is a big thing.”
Mulgrew has loved it at Accies over the past week and is delighted to be on board. He said: “That’s a few days I have had in now and it’s been brilliant. I couldn’t wait to get started. The full 18s aren’t back until July 1 so it’s been 16s so far.
“Every club works differently so it is good to find my feet quickly. Everyone has been brilliant and it has been an enjoyable start. I feel I have got something to offer the club. They are notorious for bringing boys through and I felt I could add to that so I was delighted to get the call, be full-time and pass my experiences on.
“There is a good squad here of good lads that want to work hard. I just want to pass on my knowledge now and I am also constantly learning myself.”
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