His arrival at Celtic last week came amid such a maelstrom of rancour and confusion, it's a wonder Youssouf Mulumbu didn't sign on the dotted line dressed in a survival suit.
In football, perception and context are everything. Had the Congolese international been plucked from West Brom a few years back for several million pounds as one of a number of high-profile summer arrivals, the move would have been cheered from the rooftops.
Without a club since leaving Kilmarnock in May and a footnote on the Moussa Dembele story last Friday, the 31-year-old joined to no great acclaim.
Yousouf Mulumbu arrived at Celtic this summer to no great acclaim after a difficult window
The midfielder was mightily impressive in the league last season playing for Kilmarnock
The undeniable truth is this, though. Mulumbu tore up the Premiership with the Rugby Park side last season.
He scored against Celtic and dominated in a victory against Rangers. A former Paris Saint-Germain player with close to 200 games at the top end of the English game on his CV, he's a player of undoubted calibre.
'Big names happen when you play well,' he stated. 'I can be a big name in a few months if I score against Rangers and play some good games.
'It's all about your performances. I know there is pressure on the team and club but I'm ready for that. I've got experience and ability. I'm ready and excited to be in the squad.'
There has been something of a mystery attached to the player since he departed Rugby Park as a reborn figure four months ago.
Mulumbu knows he will become a hero among supporters if he was to score against Rangers
His displays under Steve Clarke were such that the queue of would-be suitors may have stretched the length of the M77.
A move back to France or England was by no means unlikely. No Scottish club worth their salt wouldn't have coveted his signature. And yet, bizarrely, his profile quickly made Lord Lucan conspicuous in comparison.
'I did my pre-season training with a Championship team in France,' explained Mulumbu.
'I'm fit but, during the international break, I will be able to do some extra training and, once the lads come back, I will be ready to go. Again, I need to be patient - I want to play but I need to be sensible.'
So when did news of Celtic's admiration for him first reach his ears?
'I first heard of Celtic's interest three weeks ago,' the man from Kinshasa explained.
'My agent called me and he had spoken to the board so after that I had to have a chat with the manager. Once I had done that it was: "Let's go!" 'Then it was the longest two weeks of my life until the deal was finally done. I had to be patient but I was texting my agent every hour.
'I'm 31 but I still have the legs - once you hit 30 in football people think you're old but I proved last season that I can help this team.' He had other options. Some of which may even have been more lucrative.
At 31, Mulumbu is convinced he still has something to offer the Scottish champions this season
There comes a point in a player's career, though, when there's more to consider than the monthly dump of money in your bank account.
A move to Norwich in 2015 saw him make just 20 appearances over two years when he hadn't done the homework. It's not a mistake he's looking to repeat.
'That was really important for me,' he explained. 'I had that kind of scenario at Norwich City where I didn't really play. So I didn't want that to happen again.
'This is why I came to Kilmarnock. I really enjoy waking up in the morning, going to training and enjoying the session. I went back to basics. That is why I enjoyed playing for Kilmarnock. I am at a big side now and I am looking forward to winning the title.
'It was important to make sure I have a good chemistry with the manager.
'This was an easy decision for me - when a manager like Brendan Rodgers calls you then you don't hesitate.
'Everything was clear with him and I know my role in the team, what I can add to the team. I know for a fact we are going to have a great season.' Even with Stuart Armstrong now at Southampton, Celtic do have options in central midfield.
Mulumbu cited the influence of Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers in his decision to make the move
But with Olivier Ntcham, Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor in place, Mulumbu must be patient
Scott Brown repeatedly defies the passing of time. Olivier Ntcham is the man of the moment. Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic are established match-winners.
'I need to be patient,' Mulumbu cautioned. 'I'm aware of all the players here. It's a big club and there is always competition.
'If you show up well in training and on the pitch, then you are going to get your chance.
'I can play in different positions, which is an advantage for me. Last year I played No10, behind the striker, I played No8, I can play No6, a holding midfielder. When the gaffer needs me, I'll be ready.' Mulumbu's age makes him far removed from the model Celtic signing these days. He will be 33 when his two-year deal expires.
Not quite ready for the knackers' yard but certainly towards the end of his career. But the advancing years are of no concern.
'Not really,' he smiled. 'I played on the fake grass last season and it was quite hard but I don't feel 31. I don't want to talk that much. I want to show it on the pitch.
'This is all I do. I prefer to be quiet and not be arrogant. I always work hard for the team. I know the fans will be happy with my work and we are going to win some titles, for sure.' A trip back to Rugby Park later this month will be far from being any other day.
Mulumbu owes his renaissance in football to the sparkling season he spent there.
The warm messages of congratulations flooding into his inbox from former colleagues speaks to the bond they forged.
The Congolese received a raft of congratulatory messages after the move was announced
He maintains huge respect for Steve Clarke who managed him during his time at Kilmarnock
'I think every member of the squad called me along with the manager, the kit man and some fans,' he smiled.
'I don't know how they had the number. It was great. They sent me messages of congratulation. I am happy because when you do well in the team and they recognise it, it is a big part of the football.
'I have a huge respect for Steve Clarke. I always say "thank you" to the people who help me and I think Kilmarnock were great for me.
'So I contacted him to thank him for what he did for me and he said he was looking forward to seeing me on September 26.' It goes without saying that the challenge he faces is now different. Last season, Kilmarnock surpassed everyone's expectations by trading a perennial relegation fight for a fifth placed-finish.
The parameters at Celtic differ significantly.
'Everybody is motivated, everybody wants to beat Celtic,' said Mulumbu. 'Now it is going to be the opposite for me.
'It is going to be interesting to see how I react, but I am looking forward to that.'
Link articlehttps://hienalouca.com/2018/09/05/one-goal-against-rangers-will-turn-me-into-a-hero-says-celtic-new-boy-youssouf-mulumbu/
Main photo article His arrival at Celtic last week came amid such a maelstrom of rancour and confusion, it’s a wonder Youssouf Mulumbu didn’t sign on the dotted line dressed in a survival suit.
In football, perception and context are everything. Had the Congolese international been plucked from West...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/04/23/4F9092F500000578-6132259-image-a-46_1536100282392.jpg
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