Youssouf Mulumbu could have shown that he has a future at Celtic if he had helped Kilmarnock knock Rangers out of the Scottish Cup on Wednesday night.
However, he failed to make much of an impression on the game, which Rangers won 5-0. Ironically, that result could have dire consequences for his future at Celtic Park.
Dominated Celtic last season
Mulumbu’s performances against the big teams for Kilmarnock last season would have been what brought him to Celtic’s attention in the first place.
He was excellent in Killie’s 1-0 win over Celtic last season, scoring the winning goal in the process. But since joining the Hoops in August, he has failed to make the breakthrough to the first-team. It was no shock he returned to Killie on loan in January.
Killie treated harshly by officials
Now, it should be pointed out that Kilmarnock were harshly treated in the loss to Rangers. They should have had an early penalty when Eamonn Brophy was fouled in the box. Goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann was sent-off in the first-half when the score was still just 1-0 for an innocuous looking challenge.
But despite that, Mulumbu failed to impose himself on the game. He lost the midfield battle to Glen Kamara, who Rangers recently signed from Dundee.
If, no disrespect to Kamara, Mulumbu can’t get the better of him, then it doesn’t auger well for his Celtic future.
It would not be a surprise if the player was given a free transfer when he returns to Celtic at the end of the season.
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