Victor Wanyama’s return to Scottish football ended in disaster as the former Celtic star was sent off just 20 minutes into his Dunfermline debut in a special clash against Ayr United.
It was a high-profile meeting at Somerset Park, with Neil Lennon and Scott Brown—two former Celtic captains—facing off in the dugouts. Wanyama, freshly signed by Lennon earlier in the week, added even more intrigue to the encounter, but his impact was short-lived.
The 32-year-old Kenyan was introduced from the bench but didn’t last long. With Ayr United pushing forward, Mark McKenzie looked to break through on goal before Wanyama intervened—unfortunately, with his hand.
Incredible start for Wanyama…. Pars saviour 🤣 pic.twitter.com/r5cNJDkgKo
— Calum (@Steeley1997) March 29, 2025
The referee had little choice but to show a straight red for deliberate handball, cutting Wanyama’s debut short and leaving Dunfermline a man down at a crucial stage in the match.
While some fans may have questioned the decision, replays and match reports suggest it was the correct call. Wanyama appeared to push the ball away in a moment of instinctive defending gone wrong.
It’s a tough blow for Lennon, who would have been looking to Wanyama for some much-needed steel in Dunfermline’s midfield as they fight to steer clear of the Championship relegation zone. The red card capped off a forgettable day for the Pars, whose survival hopes took another hit.
They host high-flying Livingston on Wednesday, another tough game for Lennon.
