Latest news with #VictorWanyama
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Neil Lennon vows to entertain Dunfermline fans and targets Premiership
The Northern Irishman, who brought in former Parkhead centre-half Victor Wanyama and oversaw wins over Livingston and Queen's Park during his brief spell in charge, has now signed a two year deal. He acknowledged that, with both Ross County and St Johnstone both dropping down a division, that going up will be challenging. However, he remains determined to lead Dunfermline back into the top flight for the first since 2012 next term. Read more: 'I more or less agreed things with the owner towards the end of the season,' he said. 'Obviously, there was negotiations going on with the contract and that, but he was true to his word and I've been true to my word. We've got a good relationship, which is really important. 'The same is true of the people around the club, David [chairman and chief executive Cook] is obviously important in that aspect as is John [advisor Colquhoun]. We know there's a lot of work that needs to be done. That's a real challenge for me and one that I'm looking forward to. 'I don't like making predictions. But I would like us to be challenging around the top. That's going to take a lot when you consider that two Premiership teams have come down into the division. 'Allied to that, you've got Ayr United and Partick Thistle, Raith Rovers finished the season really strongly, Morton are consistent. So it's an attritional nutritional league. But we have to find the players that will give us the edge in games. If not, they will then be difficult to beat, but also consistent. We need more consistency in our performances.' (Image: Promotional) Lennon, who will retain Iain Brunskill, Kevin McDonald and Andy Collier on his backroom team, has been attempting to strengthen the Dunfermline squad since last season ended and is keen to bring in players who can give his team far more of a cutting edge in attack. 'We came in at a difficult time and some of the performances were good, solid,' he said. 'But we weren't spectacular by any means, so I want to change that. We only scored 28 goals in 36 games. That's something that has to be changed overall. 'The players were good, their attitude was good. We liked it, we enjoyed it. We enjoyed the challenge, but now this is a different challenge. We want to start looking up the table rather than over our shoulders. There's rebuilding work that needs to be done, but we want to do that incrementally.' Lennon added, 'We've been working away in the background on a number of players, it's a slow process. There are already players who have signed new contracts from last season. 'There are players who have obviously left the club and their own players have come back to their parent clubs. We've got a small platform to build from in terms of the squad of players so far. 'Recruitment is going to be important. Getting the right players in the right positions and obviously with the right mindset as well. There were things that didn't please me over the six or seven weeks I was there. We just want to change a little bit of the culture around the place as well. 'I want more attacking players. That's always been my way. The bottom line is football is an entertainment business and you want to entertain. I think sometimes it gets lost in all the analytics and the coaching side of things. 'We have good support here. They rock up. They love the club and they want to see a team perform. Yes, full of commitment, that's non-negotiable, but with quality as well.' Read more: Cook commented, "This is an important moment for Dunfermline. Confirming the appointment of Neil is a clear statement of our intent to build something meaningful and competitive. 'His leadership during the latter part of last season was outstanding, and he brings a wealth of experience, professionalism, and presence that has already made a significant impact around the club. 'None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of James and Evan[co-owners Bord and Sofer]. It would be remiss of me not to highlight their passion for moving the club forward. 'We know the past few seasons have been challenging on and off the pitch. Entertainment has been in short supply, but our supporters have stuck with us through some difficult times. We aim to repay their loyal backing by competing at the right end of the Championship, giving them a team to be proud of.'
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'They see you as one of their own' – Wanyama's love for Scotland
Victor Wanyama's return to Scotland in March on an unlikely rescue mission at Dunfermline Athletic came as a surprise to the Kenya midfielder - arguably East Africa's greatest ever player - says his affinity for the country's football fans meant it was not a hard decision."Scottish people and the community, they really look after visitors," the 33-year-old told BBC Sport Africa."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."Wanyama's links with Scotland were born during his first spell there, having joined Celtic from Belgian side Beerschot in first Kenyan to play in the Scottish Premiership, he made his name by winning two league titles and a Scottish Cup, success that earned him a big-money move to Premier League side Southampton in would go on to be part of the Tottenham Hotspur team that reached the Uefa Champions League final in 2019, before moving to Canada for a five-year spell with Major League Soccer side Montreal how did African football royalty end up in Dunfermline, a city where Scottish kings and queens are buried, fighting relegation to the third tier? The influence of 'winner' Lennon The answer is simple enough - Wanyama's former manager at Celtic, Neil Northern Irishman, 53, was also parachuted into Dunfermline in March, replacing Michael that Wanyama was a free agent, he decided the midfielder was just the kind of character his squad needed."He made me get to the next level of football," said Wanyama, explaining why he holds Lennon in such high regard."He knows me very well, so it is easy when someone like Neil calls."He's passionate and he's a winner."Eight points from Lennon's seven games in charge was enough to see off the threat of relegation, although Wanyama's influence was limited by a red card picked up on his debut against Ayr."We had a young team and I had to play a role in that, speaking to the young lads, trying to help them in training," he said."I think that itself has been a big role."The club also felt his off-field impact in other places, most notably in a club shop that sold out of adult replica shirts after a rush of orders to have 'Wanyama 44' printed on the back."Victor came in the door and that was it," said marketing manager Chris Addison."As soon as his squad number was confirmed, we saw the orders come in from the UK, his native Kenya, further afield. All over the world."Wanyama's pull is evident outside the Pars' East End Park stadium, where fans wait with Celtic photographs and shirts to be signed."I couldn't believe it when I heard you were signing for Dunfermline," says one supporter while posing for a picture with a smiling Kenyan turns 34 next month but would be "happy" to re-sign - although that decision is likely to be influenced by whether or not the club can agree a deal to retain Lennon's are ongoing on both comes next, Wanyama says he has no plans to retire, even if he is already thinking about a coaching career."That's something I'm passionate about and hopefully one day I can get into managing."Hopefully I can be the next Neil Lennon." A return to action with Kenya? While Wanyama might enjoy a warm love affair with Scotland, his relationship with his native Kenya has been somewhat more made his debut as a 15-year-old in 2007, he has not pulled on the red shirt of the Harambee Stars since 2020, having fallen out with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).Over the past decade the country's governing body has been plagued by several scandals and was banned from international football for nine months in 2022 because of government years ago, Wanyama stated that he would not return until the FKF demonstrated "more professionalism" - and it looks like that time could be now."Things have changed," he said."The way the federation manages the players and the national team, so that has already convinced me."His change of heart is perhaps unsurprising given his brother, former Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga, is now the FKF's vice president, part of new regime elected in appointment of another African legend, South African Benni McCarthy, as Kenya head coach has also helped."I've spoken to him [McCarthy] a few times and he was trying to convince me to go back," Wanyama revealed."He's a big manager. He has been at Manchester United. Obviously, he's experienced and he's the one that Kenya needs."I'm thinking about it and very soon I'll be making an announcement." The lure of Afcon in 2027 The prospect of playing on home soil at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations could be an added incentive to return to the international Wanyama claims it is not currently influencing his decision making, he does believe co-hosting the finals alongside Tanzania and Uganda will bring benefits for Kenyan football."Obviously, it's huge," he said."It will be the first time that the country is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, and for the youth it will be a great experience to witness their own national team competing in the biggest African competition."It will only give them the boost to work hard."While he takes time to mull over his international future, Wanyama does not pause when asked a final question about his second home, colours would a Wanyama tartan be?"Green and white [for Celtic]," he responds instantly."That would look good."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Motherwell's Miller open to move abroad
Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller is open to a move abroad but says he remains in the dark about his future after this season. (Daily Record) Kasper Schmeichel is winning his battle to be fit for the Scottish Cup final after being out since March with a shoulder injury. (Scottish Sun) Falkirk chief executive Jamie Swinney has refused to rule out a challenge to the decision to ban artificial surfaces from the SPFL Premiership. (The Herald) Getting winger Nicolas Milanovic from A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers for less than £400,000 is a good deal for Aberdeen, say Australian pundits. (Press & Journal) Dundee United want to keep winger Glenn Middleton beyond the expiry of his contract this summer, manager Jim Goodwin has confirmed. (The Courier) Former Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama is in talks with Dunfermline over extending his stay at the Scottish Championship club. (Scottish Sun) Goalkeeper Jack Butland would have plenty suitors should he opt to leave Rangers in the summer, says former Ibrox defender Richard Foster. (Daily Record) The new Rangers manager must grasp the pressure, demands and expectations of being in charge of the club, says former midfielder Ryan Jack. (Daily Record) Napoli's Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay has had his own pizza created for him in Italy with lorne sausage. (The Herald)
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scottish gossip: Lennon Miller, Kasper Schmeichel, Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Dundee Utd
Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller is open to a move abroad but says he remains in the dark about his future after this season. (Daily Record), external Kasper Schmeichel is winning his battle to be fit for the Scottish Cup final after being out since March with a shoulder injury. (Scottish Sun), external Falkirk chief executive Jamie Swinney has refused to rule out a challenge to the decision to ban artificial surfaces from the SPFL Premiership. (The Herald), external Getting winger Nicolas Milanovic from A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers for less than £400,000 is a good deal for Aberdeen, say Australian pundits. (Press & Journal), external Dundee United want to keep winger Glenn Middleton beyond the expiry of his contract this summer, manager Jim Goodwin has confirmed. (The Courier), external Former Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama is in talks with Dunfermline over extending his stay at the Scottish Championship club. (Scottish Sun), external Goalkeeper Jack Butland would have plenty suitors should he opt to leave Rangers in the summer, says former Ibrox defender Richard Foster. (Daily Record), external The new Rangers manager must grasp the pressure, demands and expectations of being in charge of the club, says former midfielder Ryan Jack. (Daily Record), external Napoli's Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay has had his own pizza created for him in Italy with lorne sausage. (The Herald), external
STV News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Dunfermline in talks with Victor Wanyama to extend East End Park stay
Dunfermline are in discussions with Victor Wanyama about a new deal to keep the midfielder at the club for next season. The former Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur star was a big-name signing towards the end of the Championship campaign when he was reunited with manager Neil Lennon, who took charge at East End Park on an initial deal until the end of the season and was tasked with steering the club clear of relegation. While Wanyama's stay didn't get off to the best of starts, with the Kenyan international sent off on his debut against Ayr United, the team pulled together enough points to finish seventh in the table. With safety assured, work is now ongoing to prepare for next season's Championship campaign and the club are in talks about making keeping Wanyama. A club statement revealed that he is one of five players Dunfermline say there is 'ongoing dialogue' with, along with Chris Hamilton, Josh Cooper, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Jeremiah Chilokoa Mullen. Eight players are confirmed as leaving at the end of their existing deals. Aaron Comrie, Joe Chalmers, Craig Wighton, Rhys Breen, David Wotherspoon, Craig Clay, Michael O'Halloran and Omar Taylor-Clarke have all played their last game for the Pars. Tobi Oluwayemi, Andre Raymond, Archie Stevens, Tommy Fogarty, Owen Hampson and Ephraim Yeboah have all returned to their parent clubs at the end of their loans. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
