VICTOR WANYAMA called his return to Scottish football with Dunfermline a FAIRYTALE.
Now he knows it’s on him and boss Neil Lennon to deliver a happy ending to a horror-story season at East End Park.
Victor Wanyama made a surprise return to Scottish football with Dunfermline yesterday[/caption]
The Kenyan is reuniting with old Celtic boss Neil Lennon[/caption]
And it’ll be a three-way Celtic reunion on Saturday when the pair face Scott Brown’s Ayr United[/caption]
Former Celtic midfielder Wanyama, 33, has joined the Fifers on a deal until the end of the campaign, along with his old Hoops gaffer Lenny.
Their brief is to keep the Pars, currently in the relegation play-off spot and two points behind Hamilton with a game in hand, in the league.
If they do, further talks about the possibility of both men staying on are already on the agenda.
First up, though, is a trip to Somerset Park to face the Kenyan’s former Celtic skipper Scott Brown and his Ayr side.
Wanyama said: “I feel like it’s a bit of a fairytale.
“I’m a midfielder, so was the gaffer, and I played with Scott.
“We actually ALL have the same birthday too — June 25 — and now the three of us will be united, me and the gaffer playing against him!
“It’s just a fairytale because Scotland is one of my favourite countries to play in.
“The people are so nice, always working with smiles.
“My wish was to come back one day and play here again, and maybe even to live here, because the people are very nice and welcoming.
“I’m looking forward to getting started this week.”
Lennon paid Belgian side Beerschot £900,000 for Wanyama back in July 2011 and the Kenyan, who wore No 67 in homage to the Lisbon Lions, was a huge hit.
He moved to Southampton for £12.5million in 2013, then joined Spurs for £11m three years later.
There, Wanyama reached the Champions League final in 2019, before moving to CF Montreal a year later.
He had been training with National League leaders Barnet when Lennon, who had stayed in touch over the years, called this week.
Veteran Wanyama added: “The manager has played a big part in my career.
“He asked me to come and help him out and I said, ‘You know, why not?’
“I said I’d come and give him a hand, I also spoke to the owner, James Bord, who is very ambitious.
“And when he told me what he wants and what his intention is with Dunfermline, it was a no-brainer.
“I had some other places to go, but you know, once Neil phoned me, then I couldn’t think of anything else.
“I had to just buy into it and come and join.
“I always had a special relationship with Neil, not only him, also my team-mates back at Celtic.
“He was important because he helped me a lot to know how to live outside the game, be a top professional.
“Also in football, he improved my game, sharpened me as a player, so he played a big role during my career at Celtic.
“Neil helped me also to be who I am today.
“I worked hard and made a career from his advice and also his coaching.
“He’s also a winner, of course, so combining what the manager said to me and the owner, it was a no-brainer.
“I wouldn’t say it was a favour, but he wanted us to come here and do the reunion and work together.
“I couldn’t turn down the offer from the gaffer and I’m excited to get started.”
Wanyama played and scored at East End Park in a 3-0 win for the Hoops in 2012.
Like Lennon he hasn’t ruled out staying if things go well in the next seven games.
He said: “It was a tough game, I remember the fans were fantastic that day.
“I want to first help the club, make sure we’re in a safe place.
“After the end of the season, then we can sit down and discuss.
“But first, the challenge is to get the club to where they belong.
“At the moment, they are sitting not in a good place, so we have to fight as a team and get in a good place.
“And then after that, we can sit down and talk again.”
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