FORMER Celtic stars Charlie Mulgrew and Kolo Toure are ready for new challenges in their careers.
The one-time Hoops defenders are taking the next step with Dundee United and Wigan respectively.
Thirty-six-year-old Mulgrew has joined Liam Fox’s Tannadice coaching staff, but insisted he has no intention of giving up playing.
Toure, 41, who had one season at Parkhead as a player in Brendan Rodgers’ debut campaign in 2016/17, is ready to quit Leicester City to take over at the Championship strugglers who sacked boss Leam Richardson last week.
LOOKING ON…Charlie Mulgrew gets a close-up view of Kyogo Furuhashi in action in Celtic’s 3-0 Premiership win at Tannadice in December 2021.
Ex-Scotland international star Mulgrew, who had two spells at the Hoops, will take the position to aid Fox and assistant Stevie Crawford.
The versatile back-four operator, speaking to the Scottish Daily Express, said: “I love being at Dundee United and this is a fabulous opportunity for me to take up a coaching role. I still have a lot to offer on the pitch for the club, but this opens my future to learn and grow as a coach.
“I will do whatever it takes to help this club achieve its targets and It was an easy decision when Liam asked me to step up and become part of the coaching set up.
“I am excited to get out on the training pitch and help in any way I can while doing my bit on the park.”
United had a quick change of management in late August when they axed Jack Ross 24 hours after the 9-0 loss to Ange Postecoglou’s rampant champions on Tayside.
Fox was named as successor and now Mulgrew has joined the backroom team during a crucial term for the club.
IN THE HOOPS…Kole Toure during a Celtic outing in his only season in 2016/17.
Meanwhile, Toure, who also played for Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool before calling a halt to his playing career at Parkhead, is on the brink of being named Wigan boss this weekend.
The former Ivory Coast international, currently a first-team coach at Rodgers’ Midlands club, has held talks with the English second-tier side who are in the relegation zone.
Toure took up coaching at Parkhead after hanging up his boots and followed the Northern Irishman to the King Power Stadium after his sudden departure from Celtic in February 2019.
The Latics dismissed Richardson just two weeks after they handed him a new three-year deal.
