Youssouf Mulumbu has revealed he was on the brink of signing for Rangers before a personal call from Brendan Rodgers brought him to Celtic. The former DR Congo internationalist, now 39, detailed the story of his 2018 transfer, admitting he should have fought harder for his place at Parkhead.

Mulumbu was in advanced negotiations with Rangers after a successful spell at Kilmarnock. Talks with the Ibrox club stalled unexpectedly, prompting the midfielder to return to France believing the move was off. It was then that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers made a direct approach.

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

Rodgers' personal intervention convinced Mulumbu to join Celtic, a move he described as a dream to play for an elite club competing for silverware. He joined from Kilmarnock but found first-team opportunities limited behind established midfield leaders Scott Brown, Callum McGregor, and Nir Bitton. Mulumbu made only a handful of appearances during his single season with the club.

With hindsight, the midfielder says he regrets not staying to fight for his place. He asked to go out on loan too quickly, eventually returning to Rugby Park, where he rediscovered his enjoyment of the game under Steve Clarke. Mulumbu now believes he would have played far more games for Celtic if he had shown more patience and determination.

His reflections come as Celtic sit first in the Premiership on 31 points, four points clear of Rangers after 13 games. The team's current position as Scotland's dominant force shows the elite environment Mulumbu sought. Their latest result was a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock, the club where Mulumbu famously revived his career, with Liam Scales scoring the only goal.

Mulumbu's journey included a difficult spell at Norwich City before his Kilmarnock revival, and he later played against Celtic for Killie after a proposed move to Bordeaux collapsed. He scored in a 1-0 win for Kilmarnock in that period. The midfielder worked with Steve Clarke previously at West Brom before their reunion at Rugby Park.

Celtic, who dropped into the Europa League after missing Champions League qualification that season, now prepare for their next Premiership fixture at home to St Mirren on November 21. Top scorer Camilo Duran, who netted twice in the recent 3-2 win over Beşiktaş, has seven goals this campaign.

Read the full report at Daily Record Football