The former Kilmarnock favourite was coming off an outstanding season at Rugby Park when he had a major decision to make in the summer of 2018.

Mulumbu ultimately signed for Brendan Rodgers at Celtic, but the former DR Congo international has now revealed just how close he came to pulling on a light blue shirt instead. In fact, negotiations were so advanced that the parties were finalising his Rangers contract before talks suddenly stalled.

That opened the door for Rodgers to make a personal intervention and convince the midfielder to head for Parkhead.

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

"We were finalising the contract when negotiations suddenly stalled out of nowhere. I returned to France and, out of the blue, Brendan Rodgers called me personally. He spoke to me at length about the club and how he planned to integrate me.

"Looking back, I should have shown more patience. Instead of asking to go out on loan the moment I wasn't starting, I should have stayed, fought for my place in training and waited for my opportunity. With hindsight, had I stayed put, I would have played far more games for Celtic."

A move to Celtic was nevertheless a dream opportunity for Mulumbu, who had been determined to test himself at a club challenging for trophies. But he found himself competing for a place in a midfield containing established Parkhead figures Scott Brown, Callum McGregor and Nir Bitton.

Mulumbu admitted: "Moving to Celtic was a dream because I had always wanted to play for an elite club competing for silverware. The dynamic was very different from Kilmarnock, though. Celtic already had established midfield leaders: Scott Brown, Callum McGregor and Nir Bitton.

"Forcing my way into that starting line-up was difficult. We had dropped into the Europa League after missing out on Champions League qualification, but Brendan Rodgers already had a settled tactical structure and preferred starting eleven.

"It was tough to break through, but playing at Celtic Park in front of those passionate fans was a special experience. In hindsight, I feel I could and should have done more to secure regular minutes."

Mulumbu's route to Celtic came after he had rediscovered his love for the game at Kilmarnock following a difficult spell with Norwich City.

And his Rugby Park stay could have ended much earlier. Mulumbu revealed he was due to move to Bordeaux after just five appearances for Killie before that transfer collapsed, setting up a remarkable twist when he scored the winner against Celtic days later.

He said: "Kilmarnock was incredible, you know. I arrived there after a bad spell at Norwich where I had lost the passion for football. But I spoke with Steve Clarke at the time, and he told me to come and enjoy my football.

"Obviously, it's not the same wages and it's not the same facilities, but I was surprised because when I arrived there, I really enjoyed training every day and playing against good sides like Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen. And I discovered a country as well, you know. Different mentality, different culture. It was very, very good.

"I had played five games when I arrived, and after that, I was supposed to be transferred to Bordeaux in France. I remember I spoke with Steve Clarke and I spoke with the president at the time, and they were really sad because I was doing well. And the transfer failed!

"As the transfer failed on the Friday, we then played on Sunday against Celtic and I scored! All right, yeah, we won 1-0, for the story! And no, that was very, very nice mentally, you know, because after what happened at Norwich, to come back as a football player and to play for a team that loves you, where you can feel the love of the supporters and of your teammates, that was great."