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Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama returned to Celtic Park, receiving a warm welcome and reuniting with fans and former teammates.
Former Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Celtic fans and the club after a nostalgic visit to Celtic Park on Tuesday night.
The Kenyan powerhouse, who famously scored against Barcelona in Celtic's historic 2012 Champions League win, made a triumphant return to witness Celtic’s recent 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
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The visit was a warm and emotional homecoming for Wanyama, who was visibly moved by the reception from fans.
Reflecting on his experience at halftime, he participated in the popular Paradise Windfall draw, delighting supporters with remarks about his time at the club.
“Celtic Park, thank you for your warm welcome,” Wanyama tweeted on Thursday.
The night served not only as an evening of European football for Wanyama but also as a reunion with old teammates and friends.
Among them was Scott Brown, his former midfield partner at Celtic, and current Hoops standout Alistair Johnston, with whom he shared the pitch while playing at Montreal.
Wanyama’s return also highlighted the enduring bond he shares with Johnston, whom he advised before the Canadian's move to Celtic in December 2022.
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Alistair Johnston, who joined Celtic shortly after Wanyama’s encouragement, has since become a celebrated player for the club, winning a treble within six months and making a strong impression on the Celtic faithful.
“Big Vic, legend. What a guy. We’re still in contact. He keeps sending me texts congratulating me on winning trophies. That’s one of the funniest things he said. ‘Alistair, you’ve got to get in the gym so you can work on picking up the trophies.’ Fair enough, because he’s a big lad," Johnston said on Celtic TV.
Wanyama’s encouragement and ongoing support clearly impacted Johnston’s career making the Kenyan midfielder’s visit even more meaningful.
Wanyama’s legacy at Celtic goes beyond his on-field performances. During his two years at the club from 2011 to 2013, he became a cult hero, making 91 appearances and scoring 13 goals.
His commanding physical presence and unforgettable goal against Barcelona made him an icon for the Celtic faithful.
His departure to Southampton in 2013 to join the English Premier League was met with a mixture of pride and sadness from fans who had quickly grown fond of the Kenyan midfielder.
After moving to Tottenham in 2016 and later joining Montreal in 2020, he continued to keep Celtic close to his heart with his return to the stadium further deepening his connection to the club and its supporters.
In 2022, Wanyama was rumored to be considering a return to Celtic when his contract with Montreal was coming to an end, but the Canadian club extended his stay by two more years.
His visit on Tuesday was the next best thing to a comeback, allowing him to reconnect with the fans and former teammates while enjoying a Champions League victory atmosphere that brought back memories of his own European exploits with Celtic.
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