Mulumbu’s ready to step out of shadows and into the spotlight
CELTIC Congolese midfielder’s transfer to Parkhead under the radar
IT is without any disrespect to Youssouf Mulumbu that his arrival at Celtic was not met with a crowd at the car park.
As Brendan Rodgers spoke of his desire to add quality to his squad and supporters agitated for a marquee signing, Mulumbu sneaked in under the radar at the club on the final day of the transfer window.
But the midfielder, a free agent since leaving Kilmarnock in May, believes that with little expected of him he will be able to deliver without pressure.
The 31-year-old scored the winner against Celtic for Kilmarnock last year and still backs himself to be able to add something to Rodgers’ midfield.
“I didn’t go to Kilmarnock for money,” said the former West Brom player. “It just went well. After that great season I wanted to play with a big team.
“I was lucky to score against Celtic. My performance brought me to Celtic and I am really glad. All this, the Kilmarnock episode, is clear in my head.
“But everything goes back to the beginning now. I need to start playing, I need to start performing, I need to start helping my team. Once the gaffer needs me, I will be ready to show all the ability I have got.”
Rodgers spoke to Mulumbu to ascertain his availability and the midfielder admitted it was a long wait until Celtic formally came back in to offer him a deal.
However, having securd his dream move, he is reluctant to sit on the sidelines.
The player endured a difficult stint at Norwich when he did not get much game time, something he is keen to avoid a repeat of.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me in my career and I believe that I will be a good match for Celtic,” Mulumbu said.
“I had other offers but I was looking for the best option, but once I heard about Celtic I told my agent to make it happen.
“We made the decision to come here and the welcome was good. I spoke with Brendan Rodgers before and I saw the lads on Thursday at the stadium and I enjoyed the reaction of the fans at the match against Suduva.
“I first heard of Celtic’s interest three weeks ago. My agent called me and he had spoken to the board so after that I had to have a chat with the manager. Once I had done that it was: ‘Let’s go!’
“Then it was the longest two weeks of my life until the deal was finally done. I had to be patient but I was texting my agent every hour! I’m looking forward to it now. I’m 31 but I still have the legs – once you hit 30 in football people think you’re old but I proved last season that I can help this team.
“I really enjoy waking up in the morning, going to training and enjoying the session. I went back to basics, the football business.
“That is why I enjoyed playing for Kilmarnock. I am at a big side now and I am looking forward to winning the title. It is going to be different for me because when you are playing against Celtic it is easy to get motivated.
“The gaffer doesn’t even need to speak. Everybody is motivated, everybody wants to beat Celtic. Now it is going to be the opposite for me. Everybody wants to beat us. It is going to be interesting to see how I react, but I am looking forward to that.
“I have confidence in my ability. It is going to be a great season. It has started already with Europa League qualification.”
And Mulumbu is confident that he can add a versatility to Celtic’s midfield.
With Celtic now playing Europa League games on a Thursday and league games on a Sunday there will be scope for some rotation of the squad with Mulumba optimistic that he will bring something the party.
“Last year I played No 10, behind the striker, I played No 8, I can play No 6, a holding midfielder,” he said. “There are a couple of positions I can play. It depends on where the manager wants to play me. Does he want to play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3? I can adapt myself with the experience I have got. It is going to go well.
“I did my pre-season training with a Championship team in France. I’m fit but, during the international break, I will be able to do some extra training and, once the lads come back, I will be ready to go.
“Again, I need to be patient – I want to play but I need to be sensible.”
Mulumbu was also keen to offer his appreciation to Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke, who gave him his chance.
“I have a huge respect for Steve,” he said. “I always say thank you to the people who help me and I think Kilmarnock were great for me. So I contacted him to thank him for what he did for me and he said he was looking forward to seeing me on September 26.”