Charlie Mulgrew has responded to his Dundee United critics after his decision to appear at a Celtic charity fundraiser tonight.
The former Parkhead defender will appear alongside his former teammates Scott Brown and Mikael Lustig in an event at the Hydro in Glasgow.
The event will celebrate Brown's Celtic career, with several of his former teammates paying tribute to the ex-club captain.
Mulgrew's decision to appear at the event has been criticised by some Dundee United fans, with the club currently in a major fight for Premiership survival.
In response to those critics today, Mulgrew said: “It’s an event celebrating a good friend and his career at a club that I so happened to be at.
“The proceeds go to charity — and I’m not getting a penny, just for the record!
“It isn’t for any gain of mine whatsoever. It’s for a charity and for a friend.
“There is no way that it will interfere with my preparation for the game on Saturday and my full focus is on Dundee United. It always has been since I came here.
“I spoke to the club first and got permission from the manager a few weeks ago.
“I would always speak to the club and get their permission and give them respect.
“But if it was interfering with preparations then I wouldn’t even speak to the club — I would know myself not to do it.
“I’ve knocked back events and charity games in the past. I was asked to play in the Liverpool charity game recently.
“I’ve knocked back multiple things because they don’t suit Dundee United — and rightly so.
“This is a Thursday night for half-an-hour, to speak about a friend of mine and his career.
“That’s as far as it goes.
“I don’t know if people think I’m going there to stay up until all hours of the morning and jump about — I don’t know what the perception is.
“To go along and speak about my friend and help him on a night that suits me doesn’t in any way interfere with my preparations for the game. If it did, I wouldn’t be doing it."
He continued: “If this was an appearance in a nightclub at 3am on Friday night then I’m sure he would understand that I couldn’t make it!
“Players have a life — but we also respect the fact this is your profession; your priority.
“The club pays you a wage and you have a responsibility to live your life as best you can. But you DO need to have a life.
“What has happened in the past, and what I have achieved in my life and career, is done.
“I’ve had time at Celtic but my full focus has always been on Dundee United.
“I can totally understand the fans’ point of view.
“I did think about putting something out there but this is probably the best way to deal with it, and hopefully it helps supporters to understand where my full focus is, and where my priorities lie.”
