Latest news with #Wanyama
The Courier
5 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
Neil Lennon reveals latest on talks with Victor Wanyama over Dunfermline Athletic extension
Neil Lennon remains convinced Victor Wanyama could be a 'real asset' for Dunfermline. And the Pars boss has refused to rule out a return to East End Park for the Kenya internationalist this summer. The former Celtic and Spurs midfielder saw out last season with the Fifers, who subsequently reported he was one of the players with whom 'dialogue remains ongoing'. With Charlie Gilmour having been recruited on a three-year deal, Chris Hamilton having penned a contract extension and Tashan Oakley-Boothe set to re-sign, Dunfermline appear well served in midfield. However, Lennon has left the door open for Wanyama – who turns 34 later this month and shares a birthday with his ex-Celtic boss – to stay on with the Championship hopefuls for next season. 'Possibly, yeah, possibly,' said Lennon when asked whether Wanyama could sign again. 'I don't know yet. 'Once he got fit, he looked great and he played really well in the last game [against Morton]. 'If he had a good pre-season, he could be a real asset for us.' Wanyama was unveiled as a new recruit to great fanfare just days after Lennon's appointment as boss in March. However, it soon became clear that, without a competitive outing with previous club CF Montréal for eight months, the 33-year-old was well short of match fitness. And his debut in the 3-0 defeat to Ayr United ended in embarrassing fashion when he was shown a straight red card for handling the ball on the ground after a slip. 'We had a chuckle about it,' added Lennon. 'I was going to say, we've all done that, but I never did that!' Wanyama recently spoke of his love for Scotland and his connection to Lennon, who signed the midfielder for Celtic in 2011 before selling him to Southampton two years later for a reported £12.5 million. The African insisted he would be 'happy' to re-sign for Dunfermline. However, with talks on-going, Lennon has revealed the reason his former protégé asked to be excused international duty with Kenya for two forthcoming friendlies against Chad. 'He's doing his coaching barges,' explained Lennon. 'He's actually doing them in Belfast, I think, with the IFA. 'That's another one he wants to add to his resumé, the coaching side of things as well. 'So maybe there might be something there for him going forward.'
The National
6 days ago
- General
- The National
What Neil Lennon did with Wanyama after Dunfermline debut red card
The Kenyan signed for the East End Park side shortly after Lennon was appointed as boss. He made his hotly anticipated debut in a Championship clash away at Ayr United, but was sent off for deliberately handling the ball and in the process, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Read more: "We had a chuckle about it," Lennon told The Courier. "I was going to say, we've all done that, but I never did that!" Wanyama's short-term deal with Dunfermline expired at the end of last season. Lennon, however, would ideally like to sign him up long-term. "Possibly, yeah, possibly," said the manager when asked whether Wanyama could put pen to paper once more. "I don't know yet. Once he got fit, he looked great and he played really well in the last game [vs Morton]. "If he had a good pre-season, he could be a real asset for us." The 33-year-old was recently called up to play for his country in a friendly double-header against Chad. Wanyama requested to be excused from international duty: "He's doing his coaching barges," explained Lennon. "He's actually doing them in Belfast, I think, with the IFA. "That's another one he wants to add to his resume, the coaching side of things as well. "So maybe there might be something there for him going forward."
Glasgow Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Victor Wanyama drops big Dunfermline contract hint
The 34-year-old midfielder joined the Pars on a short-term deal in March, reuniting with manager Neil Lennon. Despite only making two appearances, Wanyama has been embraced by the Fife community and is open to a longer commitment. Read more: Brendan Rodgers reveals he 'always wanted' Celtic return Why Kris Boyd reckons Rangers outcast may have future after all He 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. "Scottish people and the community, they really look after visitors. "They are good people and they embrace their culture." His future at the club is contingent on Lennon's, who is currently in talks with Dunfermline chiefs having also signed a short-term deal. The Kenyan midfielder has spoken highly of his reunion with Lennon, who first brought him to Parkhead in 2011. He said: "He made me get to the next level of football. "He knows me very well, so it is easy when someone like Neil calls. "He's passionate and he's a winner." Wanyama also took on a leadership role within the squad, offering guidance to younger players. He said: "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. "I think that itself has been a big role." The midfielder will be looking to continue this influence should he remain at the club next season.
The National
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
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.'
The Courier
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Victor Wanyama has say on possible Dunfermline Athletic stay as ex-Celtic star hails Scotland return
Victor Wanyama has indicated he would be 'happy' to sign on again at Dunfermline. The former Celtic and Spurs midfielder was a shock recruit for the Pars in the days after mentor Neil Lennon was appointed manager at East End Park. The 33-year-old was short of match fitness and suffered the ignominy of a red card on his debut against Ayr United. However, he showed glimpses of his quality in the four appearances he made for the Fifers, which included 90 minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Morton that brought the curtain down on the campaign. The Kenya internationalist is one of six out-of-contract players Dunfermline have indicated they would remain 'in dialogue' with about extensions for next term. However, given their history together and friendship, Wanyama's future would seem even more dependent on the Pars successfully convincing Lennon to stay on as boss. 'He made me get to the next level of football,' said Wanyama of Lennon, who signed the African for Celtic in 2011. '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.' As for the chance of him staying at the club, he added in an interview with 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. '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.' One factor that may play a part in Wanyama's thinking is the possibility of him pulling on a Kenya shirt once more. The two-times Premiership title winner with Celtic announced his retirement from international football in September 2021. However, he has since made himself available again and has had conversations with head coach Benni McCarthy. 'Things have changed,' said Wanyama, who is also keen to become a coach himself and 'the next Neil Lennon'. 'The way the federation manages the players and the national team. 'So that has already convinced me. It's something that maybe I might consider.'
