Victor Wanyama’s highly anticipated return to Scottish football quickly turned into a nightmare as the former Celtic star was shown a red card less than 20 minutes into his debut for Dunfermline Athletic. The team suffered a 3-0 defeat against Ayr United, leaving them in a precarious position in the relegation play-off spot and without their marquee signing for the next game against Livingston.
The ex-Celtic midfielder, who had impressed fans during his time at Parkhead before moving on to Southampton in a big-money deal, had signed a short-term contract with struggling Dunfermline in hopes of making an immediate impact. However, his comeback to Scottish football was short-lived as he was sent off for handling the ball outside the box after slipping and trying to prevent an Ayr attack.
Manager Neil Lennon, who was also booked for his protests during the match, expressed his frustration with the referee’s decision. He argued that another player was in a covering position and that Wanyama was not the last man, questioning the fairness of the red card.
Despite the disappointing result and controversies surrounding the officiating, Lennon acknowledged that Wanyama needed more game time to regain his form. The team now faces the challenge of moving forward without their star player for the upcoming game.
Ayr United, led by Lennon’s former Celtic teammate Scott Brown, emerged victorious in the crucial match, while Dunfermline finds themselves in a difficult position as they fight to avoid relegation. With Wanyama suspended for the next game, the team will have to regroup and focus on securing a much-needed win.
