How forgotten Celtic and PSG star nearly joined Rangers as lid lifted on 'advanced negotiatons'

Former Celtic midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu has revealed how he came very close to joining Rangers after holding “advanced negotiations” with the Ibrox club.

Mulumbu joined Celtic from Kilmarnock in 2018 and spent a year at the club, making a handful of appearances. However, the DR Congo internationalist could easily have been representing the other side of the Old Firm.

“Football is crazy,” said Mulumbu. “I'll tell you the story of how I signed for Celtic - I was actually in advanced negotiations with Rangers.

Youssouf Mulumbu found game-time tough at Celtic. | AFP via Getty Images

“We were finalising the contract when negotiations suddenly stalled out of nowhere. I returned to France, and out of the blue, Brendan Rodgers called me personally. He spoke to me at length about the club and how he planned to integrate me.

“Looking back, I should have shown more patience. Instead of asking to go out on loan the moment I wasn't starting, I should have stayed, fought for my place in training, and waited for my opportunity. With hindsight, had I stayed put, I would have played far more games for Celtic.

“Moving to Celtic was a dream because I had always wanted to play for an elite club competing for silverware. The dynamic was very different from Kilmarnock, though. Celtic already had established midfield leaders, Scott Brown, Callum McGregor, and Nir Bitton.

“Forcing my way into that starting lineup was difficult. We had dropped into the Europa League after missing out on Champions League qualification, but Brendan Rodgers already had a settled tactical structure and preferred starting eleven.

“It was tough to break through, but playing at Celtic Park in front of those passionate fans was a special experience. In hindsight, I feel I could and should have done more to secure regular minutes.”

Former PSG youth Mulumbu, who also had spells at Norwich City and West Brom, had a far more fruitful time at Kilmarnock under Steve Clarke, who he worked with at the Baggies.

“Kilmarnock was incredible, you know,” the 39-year-old continued. I arrived there after a bad spell at Norwich where I had lost the passion for football. But I spoke with Steve Clarke at the time, and he told me to come and enjoy my football.

“Obviously, it's not the same wages and it's not the same facilities, but I was surprised because when I arrived there, I really enjoyed training every day and playing against good sides like Celtic, Rangers, and Aberdeen. And I discovered a country as well, you know. Different mentality, different culture. It was very, very good.

“I had played five games when I arrived, and after that, I was supposed to be transferred to Bordeaux in France. I remember I spoke with Steve Clarke and I spoke with the president at the time, and they were really sad because I was doing well. And the transfer failed.”

Adding in an interview with Paris Match Casino, Mulumbu went on: “As the transfer failed on the Friday, we then played on Sunday against Celtic and I scored! All right, yeah, we won 1–0, for the story! And no, that was very, very nice mentally, you know, because after what happened at Norwich, to come back as a football player and to play for a team that loves you, where you can feel the love of the supporters and of your teammates, that was great.”