Former Celtic and Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew has turned his post‑playing life into a new venture: a golf‑course interview series on YouTube called Mulgrew: Pitch To Par. The seventh episode, featuring Henrik Larsson, was filmed during a round in Larsson’s hometown of Helsingborg. Mulgrew says he couldn’t sleep the night before interviewing his hero.
Mulgrew and Larsson chatted as they played, with the conversation ranging from Larsson’s rise to his mindset on the pitch and life. Mulgrew first came up with the concept after talks with former Scotland striker Steven Fletcher when they played at Dundee United. 'We could have a loose, relaxed chat about their life and their career. I’m interested in people, I enjoy having a laugh but I also like the serious side and delving into the psychological side of things,' Mulgrew explained. As they rolled into Helsingborg, the channel’s follower count became part of the moment: the show had reached 7,777 followers around the time they started filming. Mulgrew recalled: 'I swear to God, the total was 7,776. I showed my son Jacob, and we rounded it up to seven sevens. It happened as we were driving into Henrik’s home town, and I took a screenshot to prove I didn’t dream it. It was mental.' The seventh episode framed the moment with a playful nod to the numbers, while the conversation kept to Larsson’s mindset and life story.
Larsson’s background is a throughline in Mulgrew’s account of the interview. Larsson grew up in Helsingborg, in a row of flats, and packed crates in a fruit factory while plying his trade in lower leagues before turning professional with Helsingborg. Mulgrew says Larsson’s mindset was striking: it was always about being in the moment, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 'It was the here and now,' Mulgrew said, noting how Larsson would reset after every shot or setback on the course with a simple, practical philosophy: 'It’s done, move on.' That approach, Mulgrew observed, helped translate a high-pressure career into a calm presence on the golf course.
The project itself grew from Mulgrew’s own love of golf and a wish to connect with people beyond the traditional press box. He describes the channel as a loose concept that evolved through collaboration with a wedding photographer he knew who connected him with a videographer who had worked at Celtic during Mulgrew’s time there. He wanted to capture conversations that are intimate yet accessible, letting footballers, sports people and celebrities share what lies behind the spotlight. 'When I played football, golf was a great way of taking my mind off it. You had to concentrate for four hours, and I thought if I can get footballers, sports people, celebrities out on the course, thinking about their golf and away from their normal situation, that would work,' Mulgrew said. He emphasizes that the show aims to be a genuine conversation about life and career, balancing light moments with the psychological realities of professional sport.
Mulgrew has already featured other high-profile guests, including UFC fighter Paul Craig, whose combat sport insights have drawn viewers. He notes the value of hearing athletes open up about mental aspects of competition: 'It’s fascinating hearing what they feel when they walk into the cage as a fighter. Even the toughest guys can be nervous; sometimes they wish they could avoid a bout altogether.' Mulgrew himself has contemplated coaching and management, but he has not ruled out future appearances on the course. 'Quitting wasn’t an option for me as a player, but I’m not putting myself through all that again for the guaranteed uncertainty of a managerial career,' he said, signaling that this project may be his preferred route for staying connected to football and sport more broadly.
When pressed about the label of 'influencer,' Mulgrew demurs, saying he isn’t sure what the word means in practice. 'I would never tag myself as an influencer. Like you, I’m not sure what that word actually means. I play golf, so if that means I’m influencing people to play golf then I suppose that’s what I am.' He adds that many viewers have told him the show feels like an on-course chat with a friend, and that it can even help with mental health by encouraging people to get outside and play. 'A lot of them have said it’s helped them with their mental health, getting out on the course,' he noted.
The format has yielded a sense of momentum beyond the numbers, with Mulgrew continuing to book guests who can speak to the pressures and rewards of elite sport. The most recent episodes feature John Hartson and Swedish defender Mikael Lustig, with Lustig’s appearance generating interest ahead of an upcoming release. The next episode with Lustig is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2025, continuing Mulgrew’s mission to blend sport, psychology and candid conversation in a relaxed on‑course setting.