Victor Wanyama joins Dunfermline: Former Celtic, Southampton and Spurs participant reunites with Neil Lennon

Victor Wanyama has informed Sky Sports activities he “could not resist” the possibility to hitch his former Celtic supervisor Neil Lennon at Dunfermline.

The 33-year-old has signed for the Championship facet till the top of the season after Lennon took over at East Finish Park final week as he bids to steer the membership away from relegation.

Wanyama performed below Lennon at Parkhead the place he received consecutive league titles, plus impressed in Europe – scoring in a well-known Champions League win over Barcelona.

His type resulted in a transfer to Southampton for a then Scottish document price of round £12.5 million, and the Kenyan worldwide went on to play for Tottenham for 4 years earlier than a transfer to Montreal.

He left the Canadian membership in January and, after passing a medical on Wednesday, is again in Scottish soccer for the primary time since 2012.

“I acquired the decision from Neil Lennon, and the way in which he wished me to return down and assist, I could not resist,” Wanyama informed Sky Sports activities Information.

“I additionally spoke to the proprietor, he is very formidable, and I made a decision to return down and have this problem.

“He [Neil Lennon] is a little bit of a critical man exterior and he is all the time been there for me, , attempting to assist me additionally exterior soccer.

“As soon as I acquired that decision, I knew he was critical, I could not resist as a result of he is any individual who has performed a giant function additionally in my profession.

“He taught me how one can be knowledgeable participant, additionally exterior the pitch, whereas additionally inside, shaping me to be the participant I’m in the present day.”

Topic to worldwide clearance, Wanyama will make his debut on Saturday in opposition to Ayr United, who’re managed by his former Hoops captain Scott Brown.

“Scott is a good man, and likewise he is been doing effectively as a supervisor, so I am wanting ahead to going and going through his workforce as effectively. Will probably be good. A bit like a fairytale, however I am wanting ahead to it,” he added.

“Scott was an instance. He was an instance to all, additionally to me. He was a pacesetter, and he led in a great way, and I am all the time happy with him.

“I revered him. He is proven us the way in which, all of us. I believe he does not get the respect that he deserves, however I maintain him excessive as a participant and likewise as a supervisor now.”

Dunfermline are second-bottom of the desk – six factors away from automated relegation however two factors behind Hamilton Accies as they bid to maneuver out of the relegation play-off spot with seven video games to go.

Lennon excited by Dunfermline problem

Lennon says he was compelled to take the Dunfermline job after lengthy talks with the Championship membership’s proprietor and chairman.

The previous Celtic and Hibernian boss, who was most not too long ago within the dugout final 12 months at Romanian facet Speedy Bucuresti, has taken cost at East Finish Park till the top of the season.

He’s Dunfermline’s third everlasting supervisor this time period, with James McPake sacked in December and Michael Tidser dismissed earlier this month after simply 60 days within the job.

Whereas the 53-year-old is aware of he faces an actual problem to maintain them in Scottish soccer’s second tier, he insists it was a possibility he couldn’t flip down.

“Final week, we had lots of conversations between myself, the chairman and the proprietor. They made a really compelling argument for taking the job,” he mentioned.

“There’s an outdated adage from Sir Alex [Ferguson] the place typically you decide the homeowners fairly than decide the membership.

“So I believe we have an excellent one right here. Additional down the road, he is acquired actually good aspirations for the way forward for the membership.

“I wished to align myself with that.

“We’ve got lots of work to do, which isn’t going to occur immediately, however I’ve had an excellent response from the gamers over the past two days. I am delighted with their angle and utility.

“It is nice to be again concerned in soccer. I understand how aggressive and attritional the Championship could be.

“I do know we’re not in one of the best of type on the minute, so that may be a problem for myself to show the psychology of the membership and dressing room round.”