Neil Lennon has always been held in high regard at Celtic.
First as a player, and then a manager across two spells, Neil Lennon has a long-standing history with the club and is one of Celtic’s most successful managers.
Throughout his time at Parkhead, Lennon has won trophy after trophy but now finds himself managing in Scotland’s second tier as he saved Dunfermline from relegation to SFL League One.
In order to do that, he brought a well-known Celtic hero to the club with him.
It was an easy decision for the player in question, who wants to follow in the footsteps of Lennon.
Victor Wanyama inspired by Neil Lennon’s career path
When Victor Wanyama’s arrival was confirmed by Dunfermline, Scottish football went into overdrive.
Shirts instantly sold out with ‘Wanyama 44’ on the back as the first Kenyan to play for Celtic and in Scotland had returned.
For Wanyama, coming back to Scotland was easy because of Lennon, the man who signed him for the Hoops from Beerschot in Belgium back in 2011, and he hopes to follow in his path one day by becoming a manager.
“He made me get to the next level of football,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
“He knows me very well, so it is easy when someone like Neil calls.
“That’s something I’m passionate about and hopefully one day I can get into managing.
“Hopefully I can be the next Neil Lennon.”
Victor Wanyama wants to extend stay with Dunfermline
Now 34, the midfielder is approaching the twilight days of his career and had initially signed a short-term contract until the end of the season.
With Dunfermline’s safety assured and Lennon preparing for a first full season in charge, Wanyama hasn’t ruled out extending his stay with the Pars.
He said: “We have to sit down again and see what’s next.
“And then I’d be happy to come back here for next season.”
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