Mulumbu’s spell at Parkhead is terminated
NEIL LENNON last night confirmed that midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu has left Celtic.
The Congolese international had been expected to return to Parkhead after the completion of his loan spell at Kilmarnock in the latter part of last season.
However, Celtic have activated a break clause in the two-year deal announced by the club when they signed the player in August of last year.
Mulumbu is currently in Egypt representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Lennon admits the 32-yearold will not be back at Celtic Park.
‘Mulumbu is a free,’ said the manager. ‘He is away, so there is not a future here for him.’
Brendan Rodgers had captured Mulumbu as a free agent following a successful spell at Kilmarnock under his former West Brom boss Steve Clarke. However, he made only three appearances before being loaned back to the Ayrshire side for the second half of last season.
Meanwhile, Lennon insists he is oblivious to any transfer interest in winger Scott Sinclair.
Sheffield United were linked with a £2million move for the former Manchester City man in midweek, but Lennon insists Celtic have no plans to sell the 30-year-old, who has spent three trophyladen seasons in Glasgow.
Lennon handed Sinclair the captain’s armband for the club’s opening preseason friendly against Pinkafeld on Wednesday and insists he remains firmly in his thoughts for the new campaign.
‘There’s nothing in that one that I’m aware of,’ said Lennon of the Premier League newcomers’ reported interest.
‘Scott had another decent year in terms of his goal return and he has looked after himself really well over the summer and come back in really good condition.
‘We are not looking to sell but there might be interest in him. It just hasn’t manifested himself.
‘I think Scott is happy here. The family is settled and he has had a great time of it at Celtic. The club has won nine trophies in three years and he has been a big part of that.
‘He has come back in even better condition than he was at the end of last season and he has had the bit between the teeth in training.’
Lennon also confirmed that he intends to recruit another striker before the transfer window closes.
Despite having both Leigh Griffiths and Vakoun Issouf Bayo returning to fitness to complement Odsonne Edouard, Lennon wants another attacking option.
‘We have three at the minute but we always like to go with four,’ he added.
‘Our priority at the minute is the defensive side of things but as the window opens up we will look elsewhere.’