Celtic have been linked with a move with Andy Robertson and it is one that would excite supporters, but Charlie Mulgrew’s assessment cuts straight to the reality behind it.
Mulgrew has no doubts about Andy Robertson’s willingness to make the Celtic move if the opportunity ever arose. The former Celtic defender pointed to the Liverpool star’s background and made it clear the appeal is obvious.
He also stressed that Robertson remains a high-level player despite being 32, underlining that there is still plenty left in his game. That alone makes the discussion more than just about sentiment.
However, Mulgrew quickly shifted the focus away from the idea itself and onto something more realistic for Celtic. His comments reveal a far more important point about how Celtic are likely to operate.
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Andy Robertson applauds Liverpool fans after the win against Aston Villa
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Charlie Mulgrew highlights Celtic wage reality in Robertson claim
Mulgrew said, “I think he would go to Celtic. I don’t want to speak for him, but I’d imagine being a Celtic fan is a great opportunity for him at 32.
“He’s still got a lot to give, but I don’t think can Celtic afford to put a budget in two left backs of Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson.
“I don’t imagine Celtic will want to pay the two left backs the biggest wages. I think if Celtic are going to put wages like that towards a player, it’ll be a forward area.”
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That statement draws a clear line between possibility and practicality. Robertson’s ability or desire is not in question, but the structure of the squad is.
Carrying two high-earning left-backs would represent a significant imbalance. Even if both players remain top-level performers, the allocation of resources would not align with how Celtic typically build their squad.
This is not about doubting Robertson’s level or what he could offer. It is about whether committing that level of wage to one position makes sense.
The most telling part of Mulgrew’s view is where he believes Celtic would direct that level of financial commitment into the first team.
If the club are going to invest heavily in wages, it will be aimed further up the pitch. Celtic have yet to replace Kyogo Furuhashi properly since he left the club almost 18 months ago.
Celtic’s attacking has remained a consistent area of focus, and allocating top-end wages there must be prioritised. That is a more logical use of resources than strengthening a position that is already well covered.
Mulgrew’s comments strip the conversation back to basics. The idea of Robertson at Celtic carries weight, but the club’s priorities sit elsewhere.
In the end, the appeal of the move is easy to understand, but the logistics simply don’t fit. Celtic are far more likely to invest where it matters most, and Mulgrew has effectively spelled that out.
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