It wasn’t much of a shock to see Youssouf Mulumbu return to Kilmarnock on loan in the January transfer window.
The midfielder joined Celtic in the summer, but was unable to make the breakthrough in the Hoops first-team. He only made three appearances, before returning to Rugby Park.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
However, he still has another year left on his Hoops deal, and he can save his Celtic career by playing well in a match not involving the Hoops.
The midfielder will be a key man for Steve Clarke’s side when they take on Rangers at Ibrox in a Scottish Cup replay on Wednesday night.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
He will be expected to control the midfield, and get the ball forward to the Killie attackers. Now, it should be remembered that the last time Celtic went to Ibrox they were thoroughly beaten 1-0.
If Mulumbu is able to improve on that performance and drive Kilmarnock on to a famous victory there is a good chance he could get a second opportunity at Celtic.
(photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Of course, he might not want to return to a club where he was a bit-part player for so long. It would probably be better for the player’s career overall if he didn’t return to Celtic in the summer.
Unless there’s a managerial change he seems certain to be a bit-part player once more. No doubt Kilmarnock would love to have him back at Rugby Park on a permanent basis. Therefore, a lot is riding on Mulumbu’s performance at Ibrox.