Loan Deal Can Save Me From Cap Heap

Feb 10 2008 By Euan Mclean

CHARLIE MULGREW has revealed he jumped at the chance to join Southend on loan from Wolves for the sake of his Scotland Under-21 hopes.

The former Celtic youth player was staring at the same frustrating situation that forced him out of Parkhead when he struggled to break into Mick McCarthy's first 11 at Molineux. And with Billy Stark replacing Maurice Malpas at international level he knew it was crucial to be playing more games to stay in the thoughts of the new boss.

Mulgrew said: "I'm hoping to get as many games as possible at Southend which will keep me involved with the Under-21s.

"I played pre-season for Wolves and a couple of cup games at the start of the season but then didn't feature much.

"You can't get too frustrated and Southend have offered me a chance so I'll just need to do my best then see what happens at the end of the season.

"The loan deal came about at the last minute after Stevie Hammell went to Motherwell. "It would have been easy to

stay at Wolves but I want to play every week and get better.

"McCarthy thought it was a good idea. Themore games I get the better I'll be for himso next season I hope to go back and get a regular slot for Wolves."

For Mulgrew the timing of Scotland's trip to Portugal to compete in the Vale Do Tejo tournament last week couldn't have been better.

He's keen to have games coming thick and fast and said: "The trip was really worthwhile.

"It was good to have all the boys together, get to know the new manager and face a top standard of opposition ahead of our next competitive game against Finland.

"In the past I'd been away with the Under-21s when I wasn't as fit as I wanted to be.

"At Southend I'll get that fitness and hopefully stay in the Scotland set-up. Even when not playing regularly I've always had belief in my ability."