Celtic find themselves in an unlikely early title race with Hearts.
It was an inconsistent start to the Hoops’ season under Brendan Rodgers, and with Rangers enduring a disastrous start to their season under Russell Martin, the Edinburgh side took advantage.
Things got really serious when Hearts beat Celtic 3-1 at Tynecastle three weeks ago. The next day, from nowhere, Rodgers resigned as Celtic manager.
Since he was replaced by Martin O’Neill, the gap has been narrowed, and the Celts remain favourites for the title.
And if Charlie Mulgrew gets his wish, the Hoops could weaken their title rivals by signing one of their best players.
Charlie Mulgrew wants Celtic to sign Hearts star
There has been plenty of movement in Celtic’s striker department, with Adam Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi departing in 2025.
Johnny Kenny is their current main number nine. The Irishman has scored four in four under O’Neill.
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But Mulgrew would be in favour of a sensational move for Lawrence Shankland.
The Scotland international has been linked with Rangers in the past, and stayed put at Tynecastle this summer amid interest from abroad.
And for Mulgrew, speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, he is good enough to lead the line for the Hoops;
He said: “I’ve been crying out for him for years, Shankland. For the last two years.
“I think he would’ve been good for Celtic. As a Rangers fan, Rangers would’ve been the best opportunity [for him].
“I played with Shankland for Scotland, when he first came into the squad. I didn’t know what to expect from him.
“When you’ve been in Scotland squads for a while and players come in, there’s maybe late call-offs or whatever, and you don’t know what to expect.
“And I couldn’t believe the way he held the ball in. I know he’s scored loads of goals, but the way he held the ball in, the way he brought players into play, I was really impressed by him.
“And at the time, when he was potentially moving to Rangers, I was like, ‘Celtic or Rangers should sign him.’
“And then I played with him at Dundee United for a few months, before he went to Belgium. He scored a lot of goals, even in training. You’re thinking, ‘he’s a really good player.’ But Scottish players get overlooked a lot of the time.”
Celtic’s striker options
If you include Daizen Maeda, Celtic currently have five first team strikers on their books.
The bizarre signing of Shin Yamada this summer has seen the 25-year-old barely get a kick despite being brought over from the other side of the world.
Kelechi Iheanacho has looked impressive so far, but is currently out injured. Rodgers gave the Nigerian a home at Celtic after an unstable few years for the striker.
Callum Osmand emerged from being invisible under Rodgers to scoring his first senior goal against Rangers at Hampden, but now faces a long spell out injured.
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