You have to dream and our dream is Europe

Top six is not enough says Killie’s classy midfield star Mulumbu

YOUSSOUF MULUMBU helped Kilmarnock gatecrash the top six with another stellar show and urged his team-mates to reach for the stars by aiming for European football next season.

The DR Congo midfielder underlined his reputation as perhaps the signing of the Scottish season by pulling the strings on Saturday as Killie beat Motherwell to leapfrog them into the top half of the table.

And Mulumbu is convinced if they can maintain the form that seen them lose just three games in the 18 since Steve Clarke arrived there’s no reason why they can’t secure a top-four berth.

He said: “We showed we can fight to be in the top six and we showed we can maybe go further. Top four could get us into Europe – you need to dream and when you have the quality this group have you can beat any team.

“We’ve shown that. We beat Celtic, we beat Rangers, we drew over there against them. We’re not afraid of anyone, we just have to keep competing.”

Whether the 31-year-old former West Brom and Norwich player will be around next season remains to be seen. His displays almost earned him a move to French giants Bordeaux on the last day of the transfer window and such has been his level of performance there will be a queue for his signature at the end of the season.

For the moment though Mulumbu is loving life where he is – and admits he’s been hugely surprised by the quality of the Scottish game.

Asked if he was disappointed when the Bordeaux deal didn’t work out he said: “There were mixed emotions. It was a big team in France but I’ve been doing well since I came here and didn’t want to let my team down.

“When the deal was cut I wasn’t too down. Maybe something better is going to come.

“We keep winning here and I am just looking forward to seeing what we can do. The main thing is to make this team progress and that is what is happening right now.

“You can see the confidence among the players. You can see what the coach has put in the team. When teams come and play at Rugby Park it will be a bit with fear.

“When you play against Celtic or Rangers it is easier with motivation because you are playing against a big team. But my performance against Motherwell showed I just want to play, to enjoy it and show who I am.

“People were saying I was finished and I am old but you see me sprinting, tackling and going box to box. If I can keep doing it you never know what can happen. I am enjoying every game here and every training session.

“Last season was hard because I didn’t really play and didn’t really enjoy football. Now, every day I know I am going to have a good session with the lads and the coach.

“I am surprised by the level. When I was down in England I only really looked at Aberdeen because my mate James Maddison was playing for them.

“Since being here I have seen some good players, including Craig Tanner for Motherwell. I hope the league will progress and more players from Scotland will go to England because there is big quality here.

“You know more players from Rangers and Celtic because they are famous clubs. But I am more surprised by the way Partick Thistle and Dundee want to play, for example. Aberdeen and Hibs have some very good players.

“It makes me the think the league is underestimated by people.”

Mulumbu also revealed he wasn’t surprised to still have Clarke as his gaffer after the SFA’s decision to name Alex McLeish as Scotland manager.

He added: “I don’t see him as a national coach. He’s someone who likes to teach every day. He’s doing well with Kilmarnock and who knows where he’s going to go?”

Nowhere soon is the hope of Killie fans. Same goes for Mulumbu.

DAVID McCARTHY