Youssouf Mulumbu has admitted joining Celtic helped him recover from a nightmare spell at Norwich City.

The 31-year-old made his Bhoys' debut in last weekend's 2-1 Scottish Premiership defeat to his old club Kilmarnock.

Killie chief Steve Clarke rescued Mulumbu's career, following his release from Carrow Road following a bit-part role under Alex Neil, where he made only 12 league starts in two seasons.

'I signed for Kilmarnock because of Stevie,' said Mulumbu. 'I knew he would be honest with me at a time when I was not enjoying football, and maybe that is what has brought me to Celtic.

'When I arrived from Norwich, it had been an unhappy couple of years and I am thankful for everything that happened since - but the big challenge now is to get Celtic back to the top of the league.'

The experienced Mulumbu replaced the suspended Olivier Ntcham at the weekend and wants silverware after signing a Parkhead deal in August.

'Joining Celtic means for the first time in my life I will be able to compete to be a champion and win trophies,' he told Celtic's official magazine. 'This is what motivates me to work harder and I want to be part of this.

MORE: Have your say on our Pinkun forum'For your career it's very important for a football player to win something before he retires. I'm 31 and sometimes you feel you're old and you've missed opportunities. When things don't go right and people are just asking questions the best way to answer it is on the pitch.

'Right now my aim is to show the gaffer that, if he needs me, I'll be ready.

'This is why I need to be ready for every game and in training. To provide cover or another option. That is what I'm here for. I'm excited to be part of this team. I know there are so many things that will be amazing for us.'

• Meanwhile, former City stalwart Simeon Jackson is also seeking to revive his career north of the border, on trial at St Mirren.

Jackson reportedly scored a hat-trick in a practice game against Dundee United and could be an option for the Scottish Premiership club as a free agent.

The Canadian international memorably scored the goal that fired Norwich to the Premier League in 2011 at Portsmouth, during a three-year stint in Norfolk.