Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke has stated that midfield powerhouse Youssouf Mulumbu wasn’t in the best of shape when he brought him in from Celtic three months ago.
Mulumbu had only made three appearances for the Hoops in the first half of the season. Picked up on a free transfer in the summer by the club, he made just one league appearance which came against Killie at Rugby Park.
Ironically, he then signed for Killie until the end of the season on a loan deal this past January. Since then, Mulumbu has featured in seven matches since his return to Ayrshire. He has, however, started the last three games.
Speaking to BBC Sportsound (Saturday April 6th, 37:25), Clarke now finally feels that Celtic man Mulumbu is back to his normal levels.
“Youssouf Mulumbu in recent matches has got back to a level where I knew I could get him to. It took me a little bit longer than I thought when he came in from Celtic.
“He wasn’t in the best physical shape. It took us a little bit of time to get up to speed. But when Youssouf is on that level, he gives us that little bit of quality.”
“Wasn’t in the best physical shape”
This is a sign of just how far out Mulumbu seemed to be from first-team action at Parkhead. Nobody knows for sure why he dropped so far down the Parkhead pecking order, but this doesn’t read well.
It’s essential for all Celtic players that they keep themselves in peak condition. If Mulumbu did that, you never know whether he could’ve gotten another chance at Parkhead. It certainly doesn’t sound as though things were going well towards the end of the first half of the season if Mulumbu wasn’t in good condition.
It’s now difficult to see where Mulumbu fits into this Celtic side. When Celtic have their players fully-fit, he would be up against the likes of Scott Brown, Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie, and Olivier Ntcham. Each individual from that quartet are well ahead of the Congolese midfielder.
It’s good to see Mulumbu is now at a better level of fitness in Ayrshire. It seems as though he and Kilmarnock/Steve Clarke are just a good fit.
Is there any way for Mulumbu to work his way back into the Celtic fold? Let us know your personal opinions in the comments below.
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