Clarke expects Mulumbu to leave Kilmarnock amid Celtic and Rangers rumours

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Rangers are reportedly keen to bring Youssouf Mulumbu to Ibrox – but Celtic are also interested.

Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke has told BBC Sport that he doesn’t think he will be able to keep hold of midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu this summer amid interest from Celtic and Rangers.

Mulumbu, 31, had made his name in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City, but was a free agent after leaving the latter at the end of his contract last summer.

Nobody swooped to sign the DR Congo international before November, when Clarke – who managed Mulumbu at West Brom – landed a major coup by luring him to Kilmarnock.

So far, Mulumbu has enjoyed a superb spell at Rugby Park, starring in his 14 games whilst scoring once; the winning goal in February’s 1-0 home win over Celtic.

Mulumbu’s displays have really caught the eye, and the Daily Mail now report that Celtic and Rangers – as well as Scottish rivals Aberdeen and Hibernian – are keen to sign Mulumbu this summer off the back of his Killie displays.

Given that Mulumbu’s contract will expire this summer, teams are unsurprisingly keen to land Mulumbu for free in a bargain swoop – and Kilmarnock are seemingly resigned to losing him.

Manager Clarke has told BBC Sport that he isn’t confident of keeping Mulumbu, as he believes a ‘bigger’ club will sign him this summer on a free transfer, but would love to keep him at Rugby Park if at all possible.

“I wouldn’t say I was over-confident of keeping Youssouf,” said Clarke. “He came up here to put himself back in the shop window and I think he’s done that with his performances. That’s been great for Youssouf and it’s been great for Kilmarnock. I said to the supporters that they just had to enjoy him while he was here.”

“And I imagine a bigger club will come in for Youssouf in the summer as he’s a free transfer. If that happens, we wish him well. If that doesn’t materialise and he wants to stay here, he knows all he has to do is chap my door,” he added.