Strachan's still a loan-arranger

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has vowed to continue his ‘loan’ policy for his young players after Charlie Mulgrew picked up an award for his displays with Dundee United last month.

The 23-year-old joined the Tangerines until the end of the season from the Glasgow giants during the transfer window in January.

Mulgrew collected the Young Player of the Month award yesterday after a series of fine performances with the Tayside club.

But, after watching players such as David Beckham thrive during their formative years as a loanee, the Hoops boss is convinced more of his starlets can benefit from gaining first-team experience elsewhere.

Strachan told the club’s official website, www.celticfc.net: “It’s fantastic and it’s what we tried to achieve.

“We’ll do it again next season and get the younger players out, because I do believe they’ll learn more, and we’ll learn more about them playing first-team football.

“David Beckham did it, (Alex) McLeish and (Willie) Miller did it at Aberdeen, so it’s good that you can get out there and see what the real world of football is.

“It’s good he (Mulgrew) has gone out. I’ve watched him a couple of times and I’m delighted for him.”

Celtic defender Mark Wilson played alongside Mulgrew for United before his own move to Parkhead.

Mulgrew is currently sidelined with a knee injury but the former Scotland U21 international is backing the full-back to be part of Strachan’s thoughts in the summer.

Wilson said: “I played a couple of games with him at United and he definitely looked good.

“Although I didn’t know too much about him before he went to Tannadice, he looked the part.

“He’s big and not afraid to take the ball at left-back. He has a good left foot and was doing well for them before his injury so obviously when he comes back to Celtic the manager will have a look at him.”