Scottish Premiership is nearing its conclusion with just a few games remaining but the league has already got its winner in Celtic who are only a few points away from ensuring the seventh consecutive Premiership title triumph. They have maintained a sheer dominance throughout the campaign and have maintained a considerable gap with closest competitors Aberdeen and great rivals Rangers FC.
Rangers, however, were supposed to provide a close competition following last season’s top flight promotion but a disastrous summer transfer window under former boss Pedro Caixinha refrained them from reconquering the lost throne. Although they somewhat recovered under Graeme Murty banking on a few decent winter business, their recent downfall followed by a disappointing derby defeat has not altered the equation much. Murty, the former caretaker manager, is unlikely to be retained as the man in charge beyond this season but is open to welcome new players in order to strengthen the Light Blues for the upcoming campaign.
Youssouf Mulumbu, 31, is now being targeted by top Scottish outfits due to an ongoing blistering spell with Kilmarnock – the Scottish top tier side who have performed beyond expectations under former West Brom gaffer Steve Clarke. The Congolese midfielder reunited with his former Baggies boss back in late November following a couple of injury-riddled campaigns at Norwich City and has redefined himself in Premiership since returning to full fitness once again.
He is now performing persistently in Killie midfield and earned his side a colossal win over nearly unbeatable Celtic in February. His solitary goal was the difference between two sides and the former Premier League star delivered another majestic display in his side’s sensational away win versus Rangers.
The Gers, meanwhile, are keen on striking a deal for the midfielder who is available for free in summer and unlikely to extend his stay at Rugby Park as confirmed by Steve Clarke. Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibernian are also chasing Mulumbu’s signing but it has to be Rangers who need the midfielder most in order to bring back the long-lost title battle in top-flight Scottish football.
They have to revamp the squad with influential figures who will guide them to achieve success and the experience of Mulumbu will certainly be a big boost in Gers’ central midfield. He holds the ball well, dictates the flow with vision and a strong sense of passing from the middle of the park, offers physicality as well as forward runs to operate in advanced areas.
Rangers have an array of central midfield options but none has managed to settle in and appear regularly. A few failed to live up to the expectations whereas the others struggled to remain fit for the majority of the campaign. Mulumbu too holds previous injury records but has now revived his career and re-established himself week in week out despite the congestion of fixtures and the high-tempo attacking football of Scottish League. Rangers, therefore, must do everything to acquire the veteran on a Bosman deal as there aren’t many similar to Mulumbu’s stature in Scottish football who are available for free this summer.
