Neil Lennon Open to Victor Wanyama Return as Talks Continue at Dunfermline

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The Celtic Star

·5 June 2025

Neil Lennon Open to Victor Wanyama Return as Talks Continue at Dunfermline

Neil Lennon has hinted that Victor Wanyama may still have a future at Dunfermline Athletic, despite questions over the veteran midfielder’s fitness and long-term role at the club…

Scott Brown, Ayr United manager is interviewed as Victor Wanyama of Dunfermline Athletic walks by Ayr United v Dunfermline,Scottish Championship, Somerset Park, Ayr, 29 March 2025. Photo Garry McHarg, Shutterstock

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Wanyama, 33, joined the Pars to considerable fanfare in March, just days after Lennon’s appointment as manager. However, with the Kenyan international having not played a competitive match in eight months following his departure from CF Montréal, his return to Scottish football came with challenges.

The former Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur star endured a rocky debut, sent off in a 3-0 defeat to Ayr United after slipping and handling the ball on the ground. Yet Lennon was quick to dismiss the incident with good humour. As reported by the Courier, Lennon said: “We had a chuckle about it, I was going to say, we’ve all done that, but I never did that!”

Victor Wanyama ất East End Park Dunfermline as he meets the media after signing for the Championship side. Photo Dunfermline Athletic FC

Since then, Wanyama has shown improvement, particularly in Dunfermline’s final match of the season against Morton. Lennon praised his progress and left the door open for a possible contract extension. “Once he got fit, he looked great and he played really well in the last game. If he had a good pre-season, he could be a real asset for us.”

While Dunfermline have already strengthened their midfield—bringing in Charlie Gilmour on a three-year deal, extending Chris Hamilton’s stay, and preparing for Tashan Oakley-Boothe’s return—Lennon hasn’t ruled out adding Wanyama to the mix once again.

“Possibly, yeah, possibly,” Lennon said when asked if Wanyama could re-sign. “I don’t know yet.”

Match referee Iain Snedden tells Victor Wanyama to leave the field of play after being red carded Ayr United v Dunfermline, Scottishl Championship, Somerset Park, Ayr, 29 March 2025. Photo Garry McHarg, Shutterstock

The midfielder himself has spoken fondly of Scotland and his relationship with Lennon, who originally brought him to Celtic in 2011 and later sold him to Southampton in a then-record £12.5 million move.

Off the pitch, Wanyama is already planning for life beyond playing. He is currently completing his coaching badges with the Irish Football Association in Belfast—an ambition Lennon believes could offer an additional dimension to his presence at the club.

“That’s another one he wants to add to his resumé… So maybe there might be something there for him going forward.”

Champions Again. Neil Lennon, coach of Celtic, is lifted by Scott Brown and Victor Wanyama after victory in the Premier League match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on May 13, 2012. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Victor Wanyama scores the first Celtic goal. Celtic v Barcelona match in the Champions League on 7 November 2012 at Celtic Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou