Victor Wanyama has advised Sky Sports activities he “couldn’t resist” the possibility to hitch his former Celtic supervisor Neil Lennon at Dunfermline.
The 33-year-old has signed for the Championship aspect 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 underneath Lennon at Parkhead the place he gained 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.
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Relive Wanyama’s spectacular purpose for Tottenham again in 2018 in opposition to Liverpool
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 got the call from Neil Lennon, and the way he wanted me to come down and help, I couldn’t resist,” Wanyama advised Sky Sports activities Information.
“I additionally spoke to the proprietor, he is very bold, and I made a decision to return down and have this problem.
“He [Neil Lennon] is a bit of a serious guy outside and he’s always been there for me, you know, trying to help me also outside football.
“As soon as I received that decision, I knew he was critical, I could not resist as a result of he is any individual who has performed an enormous function additionally in my profession.
“He taught me how to be a professional player, also outside the pitch, while also inside, shaping me to be the player I am today.”
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.
Wanyama’s first sport at Dunfermline could possibly be in opposition to his former Celtic captain Scott Brown
“Scott is a great guy, and also he’s been doing well as a manager, so I’m looking forward to going and facing his team as well. It will be good. A bit like a fairytale, but I’m looking forward to it,” he added.
“Scott was an example. He was an example to all, also to me. He was a leader, and he led in a good way, and I’m always proud of him.
“I revered him. He is proven us the way in which, all of us. I feel he would 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 table – six points clear of automatic relegation but two points behind Hamilton Accies as they bid to move out of the relegation play-off spot with seven games to go.
Lennon excited by Dunfermline problem
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Lennon explains why he has taken cost at Championship aspect Dunfermline
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 just lately within the dugout final 12 months at Romanian aspect 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.
Lennon has signed an preliminary short-term deal till the top of this season at Dunfermline (Credit score: Craig Brown/DAFC)
“Last week, we had a lot of conversations between myself, the chairman and the owner. They made a very compelling argument for taking the job,” he mentioned.
“There’s an old adage from Sir Alex [Ferguson] where sometimes you pick the owners rather than pick the club.
“So I feel we have a superb one right here. Additional down the road, he is received actually good aspirations for the way forward for the membership.
“I wanted to align myself with that.
“We now have numerous work to do, which isn’t going to occur immediately, however I’ve had a superb response from the gamers over the past two days. I am delighted with their perspective and utility.
“It’s great to be back involved in football. I know how competitive and attritional the Championship can 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.”
Dunfermline’s ultimate league fixtures
- March 29: Ayr United (A)
- April 2: Livingston (H)
- April 5: Hamilton Academical (H)
- April 12: Queen’s Park (A)
- April 19: Partick Thistle (H)
- April 26: Airdrieonians (H)
- Might 2: Morton (A)
