Cherries could capture Celtic’s Charlie Mulgrew for top-flight bow

Championship victors Bournemouth made history by securing their first-ever promotion to the top-tier of English football, and Eddie Howe’s Cherries are wasting no time in preparing for the Premier League, having identified Celtic versatility player Charlie Mulgrew as a target.

The Dean Court club stunned English football when they overcame all the odds to secure a place in the country’s most prestigious division, despite having been on the brink of bankruptcy six years ago, and they are even-money with Coral to stay up next season.

Highly-rated Cherries boss Howe has earned plaudits from all over the nation after guiding his side to an unlikely piece of history, and the determined coach will reportedly turn focus to boosting his squad for the challenge of avoiding an immediate relegation next season.

Celtic’s extremely versatile Mulgrew is a potential transfer target this summer, with his astute ability to deputise at full back, in the heart of defence and in a central midfield position appealing to Bournemouth.

The Scotland international is currently five years into his second spell at the Bhoys, having never made a senior appearance in his first stint, after coming through the Hoops’ youth system. Mulgrew has some experience of English football, having spent two seasons at Wolves between 2006 and 2008, during which he time he also had a loan spell with Southend United.

His boyhood club Celtic eventually came calling again in 2010, as he became Neil Lennon’s first signing as manager, and he has since made over 100 appearances. The 29-year-old has been sidelined since December with a troublesome knee injury, but is edging closer to a first-team comeback for the Scottish Premiership champions.