Former Norwich City midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu saw a move to the French top flight fall through during the January transfer window – but bounced back with a memorable winner against Celtic.

The 31-year-old ended up joining Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on a free transfer in November, after failing to find a club following the end of his Canaries contract last summer.

His seventh appearance for Killie proved memorable on Saturday though, turning home a simple finish at the back post after fine play on the left from winger Jordan Jones on the left – who was linked with Norwich during the January transfer window.

It sparked a passionate celebration from the Democratic Republic of Congo international, scoring his first goal in almost four years, since a Premier League winner at Swansea for West Brom in March 2014.

'Youssouf could have gone but someone was looking after us,' Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke told the Scottish Sun. 'He is key for the team. I said it was important not to lose our key players in the window and we managed to do that, so credit to the club.

'There was interest in him in the window but it was a deal that fell through, fortunately.

'You never know what to expect from the transfer window. I was hopeful he would be here but once a club came sniffing there was always the possibility we could lose him. But thankfully it fell through and we get the benefit.'

According to reports it was Bordeaux that the former Paris Saint-Germain trainee was close to joining, having made 24 appearances for Norwich across two injury-hit seasons before heading to Scotland.

'You see his quality and his performance doesn't surprise me,' Clarke added, after Mulumbu was named man-of-the-match. 'The only surprise was him scoring — he's not exactly prolific.

'But it has capped a good performance and you see how happy he was out there. He comes in every day with a smile on his face. Youssouf came here to enjoy his football and play.

'He had an unfortunate time towards the end at West Brom where he wasn't selected. He went to Norwich and it didn't quite work out either, but he's a boy who just wants to run around that pitch, make tackles and passes.

'He looks as though he enjoys it so we'll enjoy it while he's here.'