Charlie Mulgrew played with Raya at Blackburn Rovers and was quick to put his name forward when the Ibrox club needed a keeper
12:01, 26 Jun 2026
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David Raya
Charlie Mulgrew has revealed he recommended Arsenal star David Raya to Rangers when they were in search of a goalkeeper.
The Spaniard has been the Gunners No 1 since Mikel Arteta brought him in from Brentford in 2023.
And he was a major factor in the North London club finally winning the Premier League title last season, as well as making it to the Champions League Final before being bested on penalties by Paris-SG.
But Mulgrew, who played with Raya when he was making his way in the game as a young pro at Blakcburn, has revealed he put his name forward when Gers were on the lookout for a new shot stopper.
Gooalkeeping coach Jim Stewart performed the same role within the Scotland set up and Mulgrew had no hesitation in suggesting Raya to him.
Nothing came of it and Raya moved on to Brentford before earning his big move to Arsenal - not something Mulgrew admits he ever saw coming.
"I wouldn't have seen David Raya doing what he has done," he said. "He was a really good goalie, but I didn't think he would ever be at Arsenal and one of the best goalkeepers in the world, playing in a team like that.
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Blackburn Rovers' Charlie Mulgrew heads clear off of the goal line as goalkeeper David Raya looks on
"I did know he was a really good goalkeeper and somebody that could go and have a great career.
"I actually recommended him to the Scotland goalkeeping coach who at the time was at Rangers, and I recommended him.
"He mentioned he needed a goalie and I said, ‘Our goalie at Blackburn's really good, young guy coming through, David Raya.’
"And then we sold him to Brentford for two and a half million, which I couldn't actually believe that we'd let him go for that little money.
"It just shows you that one guy who doesn't quite fancy you is just one person's opinion, and then he goes and gets a move to Arsenal and he's been brilliant.
"So yeah, a lot of respect for David and he always had that confidence that he could get to the top. You always felt that from him and he's gone and done it."
Charlie Mulgrew was speaking via BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest World Cup betting
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