Charlie Mulgrew claims his unsuccessful two-year spell at Wolves actually helped get his career back on track.

The Celtic defender came through the youth ranks at Parkhead but failed to break into the first team before joining Wolves in 2006.

Mulgrew struggled down south and returned north of the border in 2008 to join Aberdeen before pitching up at Parkhead for a second time last summer.

Following Wednesday's 2-0 friendly defeat by the Midlands club at Parkhead, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy claimed the 25-year-old looked twice the player he was at Molineux.

Mulgrew couldn't argue with the former Celtic defender's assessment and said. "I've grown up a lot on and off the pitch. I've played a lot more games now and have experience behind me which has made me a better player.

"I was a bit naive when I was at Celtic before and maybe took it for granted a wee bit.

"So I think I've grown up from going down to Wolves and I have learned a lot. I'm definitely a better person and a better player now."

Improved player or not, Mulgrew will do well to pin down a place in Neil Lennon's side.

He shifted from left-back to centre-back in January due to an injury crisis but knows that competition has increased with the addition of Kelvin Wilson and Adam Matthews.

"There's competition all over the park but especially at centre-back, but that's what you expect at a club like Celtic," said Mulgrew.