Mutombo sold on ICT move by club's "special mentality"
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NEW Caley Thistle signing Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo puts his move to the Highland Capital down to the "special mentality" behind the team’s passing game.
Former trialist Mbuyi-Mutombo was suitably impressed during his brief spell training with the club and opted to sign a one-year deal ahead of the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership opener against Motherwell.
His only appearance for the Caley Jags came in a 1-0 friendly win over Nairn County a fortnight ago and he jetted back to Inverness, from his home in Brussels, in the early hours of yesterday morning to complete his deal.
Mbuyi-Mutombo was snapped up by then-English Premiership side Portsmouth as a youngster, training with the reserve and first-team sides. Two years on the south coast proved unsuccessful as he moved on to Standard Liege in Belgium. Spells at Sint-Truidense and Cercle Brugge followed, before a move to Croatia with Rijeka and NK Istra. He spent the end of last season at French third tier club Étoile Fréjus Saint-Raphaël.
The selling point that convinced him that his next move should be to the Highlands was Inverness’ style of play, which drew praise from all quarters last season.
"I love the style of play here. This is what I really like and gave me trust to come here — the philosophy of the passing game," said Mbuyi-Mutombo. "I had the chance to play one friendly game with the team and I enjoyed it. I was thrilled to be asked to come back and sign.
"I won’t lie to you, I was very surprised to find a philosophy like this in Scotland. But before I came, people told me that with this coach Inverness have a special mentality of passing game.
"Even then, I was surprised to find it was very different from my idea of UK football, kick and rush. It’s a very nice philosophy and I will enjoy it."
The 25-year-old will be part of John Hughes’ squad for the first game of the season tomorrow but whether he starts, or appears from the bench, will be dependent on his fitness.
Now his move to the Caley Jags is sealed, Mbuyi-Mutombo, a youth international with Belgium before pledging his international future to Congo, hopes Inverness can provide a platform for him to relaunch his career. The move to Standard from Portsmouth did not work out for the versatile midfielder, making just two appearances for The Reds in his two years in Liege.
"They were a team that played Champions League and it was hard to turn down. I was young and made a big career decision that didn’t work out.
"But it is finished now and I’m here at Inverness. That’s all I think about," he said.
"I really like everyone here and this is the best environment for me to improve and move up again in my career. I’ll give the club everything I have to help them succeed."
Hughes believes Mbuyi-Mutombo could become a fans' favourite with his "exciting" playing style.
The attacking midfielder will give Hughes options behind lone front-man Dani Lopez, with his new boss extolling his abilities to play in numerous positions across the front.
His pace and direct style of play could make up for the lack of cutting edge that Hughes highlighted following Inverness’ exit from the Europa League.
"He’s very direct and positive. If it works out the way we’re hoping this season, he could become a fans’ favourite. He’s a player that excites you — he’s got the double-stepover and pace," said Hughes. "He excites me. Get the ball to him in the final quarter and he can make things happen."
Ahead of the league opener against Ian Baraclough’s Motherwell tomorrow, the Caley Thistle manager has warned against supporters getting high expectations on the back of a successful 2014-15 campaign.
"But it doesn’t stop us setting standards and demands on the players for what we’re after. That’s in place," said Hughes. "The only thing we have to work on is the mindset. That’s massive in football."
