CHARLIE Mulgrew is one of the best free transfer buys in the Championship, according to Owen Coyle.

Scottish international Mulgrew scored his first goal in Rovers colours last weekend as they made it back-to-back wins with three points at Newcastle United.

He has already operated in a number of different positions for Rovers this season, but the 30-year-old, who is poised to make his eighth Rovers start this weekend, is expected to slot in alongside Darragh Lenihan in the heart of the Rovers defence.

Coyle isn’t underestimating the impact that the former Celtic man has, and can continue to have, at the club.

“Charlie Mulgrew is one of the best Bosman’s in the Championship,” Coyle said.

“He is a quality player and an outstanding man as well, a real leader, and someone that we just had to get fit and healthy for him to show the quality that he has.

“He can pop up in other areas, as other players can, and that versatility can only help us as if in games we want to be able to tweak things then we have the luxury of doing that.”