Mulumbu joined Celtic in the summer after leaving Killie, but has now rejoined Steve Clarke’s side.
Youssouf Mulumbu has told Kilmarnock’s official website that playing against Steve Clarke’s side for Celtic felt “weird”, and admitted he had been in contact with Clarke ever since joining the Scottish champions.
Mulumbu, 32, starred for Killie after Clarke brought the DR Congo international to Rugby Park. He played 20 times for the Scottish Premiership title outsiders, scoring one goals and creating four more.
His only goal came in a famous win against Celtic, but his contract expired at the end of the season and it was not renewed by Clarke’s side. A free agent, Brendan Rodgers opted to bring the experienced midfielder in as back-up.
Mulumbu has managed just three appearances for the Hoops during the first half of the season, playing once in the league – ironically in a 2-1 loss to Clarke’s men. Now, he has spoken for the first time since returning to Rugby Park.
“The first thing I noticed was that everybody was smiling because they were happy to see me and I’ve known Steve Clarke for a long time and even when I was at Celtic, I was in contact with him,” Mulumbu said.
“I just feel at home. You know when I signed for Celtic and I played against Kilmarnock it was a bit weird for me because I was happy to be back in my stadium but at the same time, I had some challenges and the fans didn’t really like it.”
Mulumbu – who has 22 career appearances for French champions Paris Saint-Germain – came on with 32 minutes remaining during Killie’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Dundee on Wednesday night.
Mulumbu has been loaned to Killie from Celtic until the end of the season, with his Hoops contract expiring at the end of the 2019-20 campaign. He does, though, look unlikely to remain at Parkhead beyond the summer.
He could start on Saturday evening, as Killie play host top Rangers in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at Rugby Park.
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