Victor Wanyama, a UEFA Champions League finalist with Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, could make his highly anticipated Dunfermline Athletic debut this afternoon as Neil Lennon also takes charge of the Pars for the first time in a fascinating Scottish Championship encounter at Somerset Park.
Lennon, appointed earlier this month to revive Dunfermline’s faltering campaign, goes head-to-head in the dugout against his former Celtic teammate Scott Brown, who has led Ayr United to third place in the table and firmly into the promotion play-off picture.
Dunfermline, in contrast, have endured a difficult season and arrive in Ayrshire desperate for points to avoid being dragged deeper into the relegation battle.
The arrival of Wanyama – a marquee signing who has returned to Scottish football after a spell with CF Montréal in Major League Soccer – is seen as a major coup for the East End Park club.
The 33-year-old Kenyan international brings a wealth of top-level experience, having previously shone for Celtic before his big-money move to the English Premier League in 2013. Wanyama made almost 200 appearance across stints at Southampton and Spurs.
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And that's why the anticipation is palpable for this second tier encounter, with even the most casual supporters casting their eyes on the fixture.
Lennon and Wanyama reunite after their successful stint together at Celtic, where they won multiple domestic honours, including a Scottish Premier League title in 2013. The former Parkhead boss will be hoping his new midfield general can add steel and composure to a side that has lacked consistency on and off the pitch throughout the campaign.
Meanwhile, Ayr United, despite being winless in three games, are still on course for a strong finish under Brown’s leadership, with the Honest Men pushing for a shot at Scottish Premiership promotion.
Wanyama has played little football since last summer, so it's no surprise he starts on the Dunfermline bench today. However, he could make a cameo appearance depending on the scoreline.
