Former Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama is hoping to make a Parkhead return, Football Scotland report.
The Lowdown: Wanyama since Celtic exit…
Wanyama, who was a colossus for Celtic, made 91 appearances in green and white during his two-year stay.
The Hoops made a £12m profit on the Kenyan after Southampton paid over £13m for his services in 2013.
Since then, the midfielder has made 154 appearances in the Premier League with the Saints and Tottenham, where he was hailed by Mauricio Pochettino and called ‘fantastic’ by Christian Eriksen.
He is now plying his trade with MLS side Montreal, with the 30-year-old under contract with Montreal for another 12 months, but it seems as if he has his eye on a return to Scotland.
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The Latest: Open to return
Wanyama, talking to Football Scotland, admitted he would ‘love’ to play for the Hoops again and opened up on a ‘loan approach’ during Neil Lennon’s time in charge.
“I had a contract at Tottenham and they were very difficult to let me go, the demands were very hard.
“Celtic was a club that I would love to play for again and again. It’s more than a club. I enjoyed my time there.
“I honestly want to come back and give it a last go because I love the club, the people there, the fans, just everything there was great. They give the players everything to go on the pitch and perform. Everything was just on top.
“There was a loan approach but I don’t know what happened. I didn’t follow it up that much.
“I spoke to Neil as well and he said to me ‘it’s difficult with the demands’ and at that time they didn’t have the money to make it happen.
“But it is what it is. As I say, I still love that club, it’s in my heart.”
The Verdict: Midfielders needed:
Wanyama is seemingly extremely keen on a return to Celtic, and the Hoops could do with midfield reinforcements.
Ange Postecoglou has relied heavily on Callum McGregor, Tom Rogic and David Turnbull this season, with Nir Bitton filling in for Rogic in recent weeks.
On that basis, a move for Wanyama could be a smart one, especially with his wealth of experience and previous Hoops connections, however, the club might be cautious following James McCarthy’s form since joining on a four-year deal.
McCarthy, the same age as Wanyama, has started just three times this season and appears to be struggling to break into Postecoglou’s side, so they could be better off bringing in a younger midfielder with one eye on the future instead of possibly having another McCarthy on their hands.
In other news: Celtic now hoping to sign 11-goal international in January.
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