CHARLIE Mulgrew admits he doesn’t regret his decision to swap Celtic for Blackburn Rovers and insists his move to Ewood Park has made him a better player.

Mulgrew joined Rovers last summer on a three-year deal despite Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers being keen on retaining the services of the versatile Scot.

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And the 31-year-old says there is no regret on his decision to leave the Scottish champions, who are unbeaten in the league this season under Rodgers, and join Rovers who have been in a relegation battle for all of this season.

“It’s been good, I’m enjoying the change,” Mulgrew said.

“It’s something different, playing different teams and we’ve got a big challenge for the rest of the season. But everything is positive, we’re looking forward and we’re all enjoying it.

“At the time, a lot of people looked and thought it wasn’t the right move, but it was me that wanted to do it. I wanted to experience something different, at this stage of my career it was probably my last chance to go down south and I wanted that.

“Off the field everything has been great, on the field it’s been difficult picking up results. But I’ve never regretted my decision. I’m enjoying the challenge, I’m enjoying playing different teams at big stadiums and a whole new challenge. We’ve also picked up recently, so I’m enjoying it."

Mulgrew will be eyeing his 25th cap when Scotland host Canada at Easter Road tomorrow (7.45pm), ahead of the World Cup qualifier with Slovenia on Sunday.

It would be his first since joining Rovers, but he feels he has improved as a player during his time in East Lancashire, and hopes to show that on the international stage.

“I feel as if I’ve improved since I’ve been at Blackburn. It’s opened my eyes a bit,” he told the The Herald.

“I’m really enjoying it and I feel more prepared now and that I’m a better player, more experienced. It’s a more demanding league. Every game is genuinely 50-50.

“A lot of the games are more even down there and that was part of the challenge why I wanted to go down.

“I wanted to be part of that, experience that and grow. I feel it’s improved me as well.

“You have a lot of the ball at Celtic, in most games you’ve got at least 60 to 70 percent possession. So it’s different games, there’s more defending to be done. I’m enjoying it."

Mulgrew was back in the Rovers side after injury against Preston on Saturday having missed the trips to Norwich and Fulham with a hamstring strain.

Injuries have restricted him to just 25 appearances this season, but he has started 21 of Rovers’ last 26 games.

And he admits that regular game-time has been beneficial.

He added: “The regular involvement has prepared me for this week.

"It keeps you fit. I like to play as many games as I can and I always feel at my best when I’m playing games.

“The fitter you are, the better it’s going to be for you.”