It’s grin up north but Youssouf would love another go down south
Killie’s Congolese star believes his form can lead him back to English top flight
YOUSSOUF MULUMBU reckons more dazzling displays for Kilmarnock could take him back to the bright lights of the English Premier League.
The Congolese has taken Ayrshire by storm since joining as a free agent six weeks ago. Mulumbu was rescued from the scrapheap by Killie boss Steve Clarke, having been idle for almost a year and released by Norwich in the summer.
The 30-year-old’s impact has been little short of sensational. Displaying some of the class that brought him over 200 top-flight appearances for West Brom in a six-year spell, Mulumbu is playing a key role in the Rugby Park revival.
The midfielder is desperate to help Killie to a strong season having signed until next summer, but has also confessed his days of playing at the top level south of the border may not be over just yet.
Mulumbu said: “When you know your talent and have confidence, you can play anywhere.
“I am someone who likes to play football and I am enjoying playing for Kilmarnock. If everything is okay I might pick up a bigger team or I might go back in the Premier League. You never know.
“Right now I am enjoying my time here and I hope were are going to finish in the first part of the table.
“I signed a deal until the end of the season and it’s a challenge for me. I did two years at Norwich which didn’t go the way I wanted.
“I’m not going to lie to you. When you play for West Brom week in week out and you are one of the main players then you go to Norwich, which is maybe a lower team, it is quite hard when you don’t play.
“I picked up some injuries and the coach wasn’t really great with me. I’m not going to blame him because maybe I did some stuff. It was just football and I had some bad luck.
“Now I am happy. I came here because I knew how Steve Clarke worked. He gives me 100 per cent confidence on the pitch.
“Now I am enjoying winning the ball, running and winning matches.”
Mulumbu did all of those things last time in a dynamite display against Rangers. The Killie star ran the show as Clarke’s side rocketed into the top six with a fabulous fightback win last weekend. Now he aims to maintain his sizzling form against Hamilton tomorrow.
Mulumbu said: “Even at 30 I am learning every day. I try to help those young lads like Jordan Jones and Greg Taylor and I hope some of those guys will be in the Premier League in the future.
“I had some injuries and people doubted me. Is he able to play? Is he able to run? You got your answer on the pitch against Rangers. I was running for 90 minutes to do my best to win the game.
“We played against one of the best teams in the league in Rangers and showed great character to come back from 1-0 down at half-time.
“We missed some chances but we kept going. Our second goal
was a bit lucky but we did everything to win that game and keep the run going. “We have won three out of three at home since I came here and it is always easy to work during the week when you get results like the one against Rangers. “I am happy for the lads. When I came at first I think there was a bit of a lack of confidence. I tried to bring my experience and energy to midfield and it seems like it is working well.” Killie’s fans are eating out of Clarke’s hand at the moment and attracting signings such as Mulumbu are just as impressive as the results. He added: “To be fair he is not someone who talks a lot. But we have had a good relationship since we were at West Brom. “He gives me advice and he is very honest. I am someone who likes to know that the coach likes me and has confidence in me. “This is why I try to give him that back on the pitch. “He is the main reason why I am at Kilmarnock and I need to do my best for him.
“You can ask all the lads. Even in the dressing room at half-time against Rangers when we were losing 1-0 he was the same.
“He didn’t talk for five minutes and let us breathe. After that he started to repair things he felt were wrong.
“That is his secret. He is good tactically and is someone I think is just meant to be a coach.
“I am happy for him that he is getting some great results. But let’s keep this run going until the winter break.
“I’m not 100 per cent yet. Before Kilmarnock my last game was back in February for Congo. I am just catching up. I hope not to get any injuries and then be fully fit after the break.
“That means my performances have to get better. I am trying to work hard in training and keep learning every day.
“This will be the first time in nine years that I will have had a winter break so I will go back to Paris and enjoy time with the family.”