MULGREW SETS COMEBACK DATE

CROCKED Charlie Mulgrew could face a screen test as he attempts to make his Celtic comeback.

The Scotland international defender hasn’t kicked a ball in over three months after the recurrence of a knee injury in the 4-0 league win over Partick Thistle on December 3 last year.

But the 29-year-old utility star is determined to get back into the thick of it in the run-in to what could be only the Hoops’ fourth treble in history.

Mulgrew has targeted the Premiership game against St Mirren in Paisley on Friday evening, April 3 which will be beamed live by BT Sport to signal his return to first team action, but he accepted it won’t be easy to get back into Ronny Deila’s top side.

He admitted: “Every player wants competition for places because it brings out the best in them.

“You know if you don’t perform there’s real class players waiting, so you get the best out of yourself.”

Israeli international Nir Bitton has shone after taking over the midfield role alongside skipper Scott Brown in Mulgrew’s absence.