CELTIC’s latest signing from transfer window day last Friday Youssouf Mulumbu spoke to Celtic TV and his excitement at joining up at Celtic, the influence Brendan Rodgers had on his decision to choose Celtic and his belief that his performances on the park can give the supporters the big signing most were hoping for last week.
“Big names happen when you play well,” Mulumbu observed. “I can be a big name in a few months if I score against Rangers and play good games. It’s all about performances.
“I know there is pressure on the team and club, but I’m ready for that. I have experience and ability to play. I’m ready and excited to be in the squad.
“I need to be patient, but my talks with the manager were really clear. I’m aware of all the players here. It’s a big club and there is always competition. But if you show up well in training and on the pitch, you are going to get your chance.
“I’m here to help the young lads like Olivier Ntcham and Callum McGregor. I know Scott Brown very well, too. I can play different positions, which is an advantage for me. When the gaffer needs me, I’ll be ready.”
Fitness is not an issue for the former West Brom and Norwich midfielder, who joined Kilmarnock last November and was outstanding for the Ayrshire side in his time there.
“I played on the fake grass last season and it was quite hard. But I don’t feel 31. I don’t want to talk that much. I want to show it on the pitch. This is all I do. I prefer to be quiet and not be arrogant.
“I always work hard for the team. I know the fans will be happy with my work and we are going to win some titles, for sure.”
Celtic’s capture of Mulumbu, as ‘exclusively’ revealed by the Daily Record 4o minutes AFTER the story was up on The Celtic Star, was aware of the the possibility of a move to Parkhead happening sometime before.
“I first heard of Celtic’s interest three weeks ago. My agent called 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. I was texting my agent every hour, but I’m looking forward to it.
“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 was feeling good after that first training session. I’m excited, obviously, and very happy to be here. Maybe I didn’t realise how big this club was before, but I do now and I’m so happy to be here.
“This was an easy decision for me. When a manager like Brendan Rodgers calls, you don’t hesitate. I played against Celtic last season and I could feel the atmosphere and sense the pressure they were under and that’s different from Killie. You can’t compare the two.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I believe that I will be a good match for Celtic. I had other offers and I was looking for the best option. 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 before and I saw the lads on Thursday at the stadium and I enjoyed the reaction of the fans at the match against Suduva.”
The Brendan Rodgers factor played a major role in convincing Mulumbu to join Celtic.
“That was really important for me. I had that kind of scenario at Norwich where I didn’t really play. I didn’t want that to happen again.
“It was important to make sure I have a good chemistry with the manager. Everything was clear with him and I know my role in the team and what I can add to the team.”
Mulumbu enjoyed his time at Rugby Park but always knew it would be a short term move and he’d move on at the end of the campaign.
“I was clear with my agent that I wanted to play at the highest level possible.
“For me the highest level was the English Premier League, but if it didn’t happen the other option was Celtic. I can say I’m lucky to be here, but at the same time, my performances brought me here.
“It wasn’t really a gamble because I knew something big was going to happen.”
And in case you missed it, Youssouf Mulumbu was a special, surprise guest on Celtic Fans TV after the victory over Rangers on Sunday, see below…
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