Dermot Desmond told to do the unthinkable at Celtic and buy Hearts duo for ‘£20m’ in January

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There is immense pressure on the Celtic board to produce the goods during the January transfer window. 

Celtic are chasing Hearts for the Premiership title, and who does or doesn’t come in this month will play a huge part in whether the Hoops can defend their title.

You sense, even if Celtic win the title, the supporters will want Dermot Desmond to head for the exit door, alongside Paul Tisdale and Peter Lawwell, who left in December.

But as Celtic search for those much-needed players, Charlie Mulgrew has told Desmond to do something that will probably irritate the Hearts fans beyond boiling point.

• READ MORE: Charlie Mulgrew says Celtic man who had Wilfried Nancy nightmare is ‘back to his best’

Will we hunt Hearts down and win the title?

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Celtic told to sign Lawrence Shankland and Alexandros Kyziridis from Hearts

Hearts’ Jamestown Analytics model is working a treat because it has them six points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

But speaking on Go Radio, Mulgrew thinks the champions of Scotland should test Hearts’ resolve by trying to buy their key players – Lawrence Shankland and Alexandros Kyziridis.

Shankland and Kyziridis are valuable players to Derek McInnes, and if they go on to win the title, then they would have played a huge part.

However, Mulgrew thinks Celtic could buy the duo for ‘£20 million’ during the January transfer window, as he also suggested that money would be too tempting to turn down. 

In years gone by, if Celtic wanted to bring a Hearts player to Parkhead, they could, but those from Edinburgh were never in the situation they are in now.

Given that the Jambos are top of the table, on course to win their first league title in 66 years, and possibly play in the Champions League next season, then Mulgrew’s suggestion is rather crazy and pretty unlikely. 

Mulgrew: “I just wonder whether it’s worthwhile Celtic going, ‘right, £20 million, we are going to have a go here. We are going to take Shankland. And we are going to go for Kyziridis. Should we try to get them? Take them away from Hearts. Add them to our squad. Help us, and take Hearts’ threat away.’”

Paul Cooney: “Would that be your advice, if you were the major shareholder (Dermot Desmond). You would be saying, ‘let’s do this.’”

Mulgrew: “I would go for it. I would go for the jugular. Let’s take their threat away. And let’s see what they are made of then. 

“Imagine Shankland in Celtic’s team right now and Kyziridis. Is it possible? I don’t know – just say there is a £13-14 million profit to be made on those players alone. 

“I value Shankland and Kyziridis. It almost guarantees you winning the league. Almost. Then you have a Champions League qualifier to navigate.

“I have said before, Hearts’ front three get into Celtic’s team. I just think if you can go straight for their players.”