Congo star turned down Rangers & Steven Gerrard to sign deal with Celtic

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Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu has claimed that he turned down Rangers and Steven Gerrard to sign for Celtic.

The ex-West Brom midfielder joined the Parkhead club in the summer of 2018 after impressing north of the border with Steve Clarke’s Kilmarnock side.

Mulumbu – who is now 34 – was one of the key players in the Kilmarnock side which was resurrected under Clarke and earned a move to Parkhead ahead of the 18/19 season, Steven Gerrard’s first in charge at Ibrox.

However, after joining Brendan Rodgers’ charges the player would play only three times before returning to Rugby Park in the second half of the campaign.

But speaking about his time in Scotland, the midfielder has revealed that following an initially successful spell with the Ayrshire club there were offers on the table from Ibrox.

“I went to Kilmarnock to enjoy football, and it was crazy because I had played five games and Bordeaux in France called my agent and said ‘We want Youssouf’,” Mulumbu told the High Press.

“Steve Clarke was devastated. He said ‘You are doing a very good job for me’ but I said I was going to France to be around my family.

“The transfer didn’t happen, I think on the Friday the transfer failed and on the Saturday we played against Celtic, and we won 1-0 and I scored.

Aberdeen, Rangers and Celtic “offered” Youssouf Mulumbu contract

“From there all the teams in Scotland offered me a contract; Aberdeen, Rangers and Celtic.

“One week before I signed for Celtic I had a call (from West Brom) saying I think we need a centre mid. This was crazy, 30 years old, knowing the club, having experience.

“I spoke to Darren Moore and he said he didn’t think it would be good for the group, and an hour later Brendan Rodgers called me and said he wanted me to come after a great season.

“I messaged Darren Moore saying I really wanted to come back to West Brom, but I’m going to Celtic.”

The former Norwich midfielder did impress in Scotland but he was eventually released by Celtic before going on to spend one more season in Kilmarnock.

Leaving in the summer, the 45-times capped DR Congo star is currently without a club having moved to France.

Whilst Rangers might’ve missed out on Mulumbu, Gers fans could be interested to know about the situation involving one Ibrox-linked Premier League star.