Celtic hero Victor Wanyama on chances of Dunfermline stay
The midfielder, 34 next month, signed for the Pars on a short-term deal in March. Lennon had just been appointed manager and turned to a man he knew he could rely on to help them avoid the drop from the Championship.
Wanyama only made two appearances after being sent off for a handball during his first appearance in a defeat to former teammate Scott Brown's Ayr United.
But he has been made to feel welcome in Fife and would be open to staying longer. Lennon's own future remains up in the air as he holds talks with Dunfermline chiefs, having only signed until the end of the season himself.
Wanyama told BBC Sport Africa: 'We have to sit down again and see what's next.
'And then I'd be happy to come back here for next season.
Read more: Brendan Rodgers details 'multiple reasons' he always wanted Celtic return
Celtic Scottish Cup final countdown with Rodgers' selection options analysed
'Scottish people and the community, they really look after visitors. They are good people and they embrace their culture.
'Always loving, it doesn't matter where you come from – and they see you as one of their own. And they love their football.'
The Kenyan also spoke about the reunion with Lennon and how easy it was to say yes to the man who took him to Parkhead in 2011.
'He made me get to the next level of football,' he said.
'He knows me very well, so it is easy when someone like Neil calls.
'He's passionate and he's a winner.
'We had a young team [at Dunfermline] and I had to play a role in that, speaking to the young lads, trying to help them in training.
'I think that itself has been a big role.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Next Middlesbrough Odds & Betting: Gerrard Top Candidate For Riverside Job
Middlesbrough could be swapping one ex-England international for another in the dugout if the next Middlesbrough manager odds are anything to go with Steven Gerrard now the favourite to replace Michael Carrick. Carrick was sacked nearly five weeks after Boro finished 10th in the Championship, four points off the play-off positions, confirming the Teessiders to a ninth successive season in the second tier. Carrick guided Boro to the play-offs in his first season but has missed out in the last two seasons and after finishing with fewer points than the previous campaign, coupled with having to watch their local rivals, Sunderland, get promoted, the decision was made to remove the ex-Manchester United and Tottenham midfielder. Assistants Jonathan Woodgate and Graeme Carrick have also left the club, so it is a chance for a clean sweep at the Riverside. Next Middlesbrough Manager Odds Another England star set for the Riverside Steve Cooper was the initial favourite installed by betting sites, and was quickly followed by former Luton boss Rob Edwards but now former England and Liverpool star Steven Gerrard is favourite at odds of just 11/8. Gerrard has been out of work since leaving Saudi side Al-Ettifaq in January, after 18 months in charge. He previously managed Aston Villa and Rangers, where he led the Scottish side Rangers to their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years in 2020-21. It is understood that interviews for the vacant role are taking place this week, and whether Gerrard is among those on the shortlist remains to be seen. He admitted in April that he was enjoying taking some time out but will the lure of the Riverside prove too strong? He might not have any experience of the Championship, but second favourite Edwards certainly does, and he has been out of work since the Hatters sacked him in January. The side were just two points above the Championship relegation zone, but that shouldn't overshadow the amazing job he did in taking them up to the Premier League. He guided the side to a play-off final win over Coventry City in May 2023 to see them back in the top-flight for the first time in 30 years, and Middlesbrough would be love to be celebrating that this time next year. Edwards is 5/2 to be the next Middlesbrough manager, but if they do want him then they may face competition with Bristol City also reportedly interested. Edwards has also been installed as the even-money favourite to be the Robins boss. Cooper is next on the list in the next Middlesbrough manager betting market and reports in the north-east suggest he's been shortlisted for an interview. He is another manager who has achieved promotion from the Championship, taking Nottingham Forest up in May 2022. He has been out of work since leaving Leicester in November, but he has admitted he is ready to return to management, albeit with a preference to work abroad. Some betting sites have cut Sean Dyche's odds to 5/1, but there's been no mention of the ex-Everton boss being in the frame in local reporting, despite the success he enjoyed at this level as Burnley manager. Another name linked is Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl, who was the favourite for the Southampton job before Will Still was named manager last month. He guided Wednesday to 12th in the league last season and with everything currently going on at the club, who have been charged with multiple breaches of EFL regulations relating to unpaid wages, he might be looking for an escape route. Rohl is also on the shortlist to be the next Leicester City boss, according to reports, and is as short as 1/2 for that position on certain betting apps. Boro Could Consider Challinor Of those contenders with double-figure prices, talk of a move for 25/1 shot Robbie Keane has been dismissed, but there's a possibility the Tessiders talk to ex-Boro midfielder Gary O'Neil, who is out of work after leaving Wolves last season and is a 12/1 chance. A new name on the list is Stockport manager Dave Challinor, who has done an outstanding job with the League One side, taking them from the National League up to League One in three seasons. The Hatters reached the League One play-offs last season before they were beaten in the semi-finals by Leyton Orient. He has also achieved promotion from the National League North with Fylde and promotion back to the EFL with Hartlepool United so he has had success wherever he has been. Football betting sites are offering 25/1 on him to make the move to the Riverside Stadium but it is nice to see the former Tranmere Rovers and Stockport defender finally getting some recognition. Please gamble responsibly Sports betting can be addictive, so bettors should take precautions to keep themselves safe when using gambling sites. Every licensed UK betting site should offer safer gambling tools, such as deposit limits, time outs, self-assessment questionnaires and self-exclusion options. These are free tools to help punters stay in control and they are available at various gambling sites, including online bookmakers, casino sites, slot sites, and poker sites. These operators may offer free bets or a casino bonus from time to time, but it's important to treat these rewards with caution. Always remember that sports betting is meant to be fun. It should never be viewed as a guaranteed way to make money. If you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
Scotsman
33 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Championship amateur boxing at Easter Road Stadium
Easter Road Stadium is set to host an amateur boxing event as the Boxing Scotland Eastern District Championships come to the Behind the Goals Bar this June. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The two day event, presented by Edinburgh based boxing shop Seconds Out Fight Store, will bring together some of the East of Scotland's best youth and senior boxers to compete for district titles in a venue more often known for football than fight nights. The Eastern District Championships will take place on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st June, transforming Easter Road's Behind the Goals Bar into a unique, high energy boxing venue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This prestigious event is a key fixture on the amateur boxing calendar, with amateur boxers from clubs across the East of Scotland vying for regional titles. Both Youth and Senior divisions will be represented, offering an exciting opportunity to see future stars of Scottish boxing in action. Behind the Goals Bar at Easter Road Stadium – set to host the Boxing Scotland Eastern District Championships for the first time this June The event is being run on behalf of Boxing Scotland by Ross Koppel of Seconds Out Fight Store, a long established boxing equipment shop based just minutes from the stadium. 'Bringing the Eastern District Championships to Easter Road is a huge moment for us' said organiser Ross Koppel of Seconds Out Fight Store. 'This is about amateur boxing competition, bringing the community together, and showing what grassroots sport can achieve in a top class venue like this.' Tickets are available now, with semi-final night priced at £15 standard / £30 ringside, and finals night at £20 standard / £40 ringside. Or get even better value with a 2 night pass for £25 (standard) or £55 (ringside). VIP tables for ten guests are also available, including exclusive seating, welcome drinks, and hot food served to the table during the interval. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a nod to community connection, organisers are also inviting local businesses to get involved through a range of sponsorship packages. To book tickets or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Seconds Out Fight Store via social media, call us on 0131 563 9799, or visit in-store.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Neil Lennon convinced me to stay at Hibs with wild night singing ‘Sunshine On Leith' on karaoke with England legends
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NEIL LENNON is known as one of the biggest characters within Scottish football and he certainly made his mark at Easter Road. He took over in Leith in 2016, and won the Scottish Championship and earned the Hibees promotion back to the top-flight in his first season. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Jason Cummings helped Hibs and Neil Lennon to their 2017 Scottish Championship title Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow 2 Cummings finished joint-top scorer in the league that season Credit: Andrew Barr - The Sun Glasgow Jason Cummings was Lennon's star man in the ex-Celtic boss' first season in Edinburgh. If it wasn't for Lennon, however, the striker probably wouldn't have been at the Leith club in their league-title winning year. Cummings told Open Goal about how Lenny convinced his star man to give Hibs another season whilst the Irishman was on punditry duties at the 2016 Euros in France. Cummings said: "He's [Lennon] phoned me and went 'right, get over here', so me and my agent went over and he's got us tickets for the game, I can't remember who it was, Portugal or whatever. "We went to the game and he's like 'right, come and meet us, I'm just in the bar just over the road', he's finished doing the punditry. "So, I've gone in and Lenny's there like 'Ah Cummings! How you doing', and he's sitting there with Shearer, Ferdinand, Keown, John Hartson. Full bhuna! "He's like, 'This is my star signing Cummings, sit down, you're playing with me next year' headlock and that, 'Shearer tell him!' "[Shearer said] got to sign with Lenny, he'll look after you, and I'm like that, this is the b******s, Shearer and that! "He's like 'you want a drink Cumdog? Get a beer!' So we ended up getting on it, like Ferdinand, Shearer all having a laugh. "We went back to the hotel boardroom, all on it and we had the karaoke on and Shearer's up singing 'all night long'. David Gray on life as Hibs manager and how he turned it around when his job was on the line "Lennon's like 'Cummings, you've got to sing Sunshine on Leith, and you're signing with me next year. "I'm up there singing Sunshine on Leith with Ferdinand and that, best night ever! "After that, I'm thinking he's a hero, Lenny's a legend. I'm staying another year with him." Cummings scored 19 goals and set up a further six in his final year in green and white. The Scottish-born Australia international earned a move to Nottingham Forrest after his stellar season. Only six months into his spell down south, he was shipped off on loan, with the talisman coming back to Scotland and joining Rangers for the second half of the season. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
