Celtic were a hard club to play for… but it was worth it, says Victor Wanyama

VICTOR WANYAMA knows all about the demands of being a Celtic player.

From his new home 400 miles away in Southampton, he has looked on as his former club have endured a tricky start to the season.

But as the Hoops prepare to take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League, the Kenyan has called on them to ride with the blows and reap the benefits.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Post, Wanyama said: “Celtic is like my home. The club made me the player I am today.

“Playing in front of 60,000 supporters in vitally important games gave me the ability to cope with the mental pressure of playing at the top level.

“It is a great club to play for, but not an easy club to play for.

“By that I mean you have to be able to stand up to the demands of having to win every game and the constant focus that is on you.

“If you can do both, then you are well on your way and it all becomes extremely enjoyable.

“I’d like to play again in the Champions League.

“I had two memorable seasons of that with Celtic.

“I have to say I really miss the big nights in that competition.”

Wanyama signed for Celtic in 2011 (SNS Group)

Wanyama left Parkhead in the summer of 2013 to join Southampton in a £12.5m transfer.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been outstanding for the St Mary’s outfit in the heart of their team, and has been drawing admiring glances from Spurs and Chelsea.

He keeps a close eye on events north of the border and was disappointed to see the club miss out on Europe’s premier club competition for the second successive year.

But the Kenyan is happy to see them involved in a serious title race with Aberdeen setting the early pace.

He is absolutely certain the Hoops dressing-room will be welcoming this challenge from Derek McInnes and his players.

Wanyama continued: “When I was at Celtic I enjoyed the battles against Rangers.

“It was sweet to beat them to the Championship in 2012, my first season there. I was very proud of that achievement.

“Rangers not playing in the top league has taken a little bit away from it all.

“But Celtic have still had to work hard to win the past four titles.

“They are going for their fifth one and the early signs are that they will have a fight from Aberdeen.

“Some of the players at the club were team-mates of mine and I know they will welcome the competition.

“I think being pushed to the limit will bring the best out of guys such as Kris Commons, Scott Brown, Emilio Izaguirre, Charlie Mulgrew, James Forrest and Mikael Lustig.

“I believe Celtic will win the title again.

“And, of course, they and their fans also have an eye on winning a Treble. I wish them well.”Celtic can outfight Europa League rivals, says Ronny Deila – click here to read moreWinning the title would give Ronny Deila a third crack at trying to get through the Champions League qualifiers. And Wanyama hopes they get there.

He still vividly recalls the experience of scoring against Barcelona in 2012 in a 2-1 win.

“That was the most memorable European night of my career,” Wanyama admitted.

“To beat them was special. And to score our first goal just added to the whole excitement of the night. The atmosphere created that night by the Celtic fans was extra special.”

Wanyama nets against Barcelona (SNS Group)

Neil Lennon was the manager at the time, but he left the Hoops 15 months ago and is now the manager of Bolton in the English Championship.

Wanyama is an admirer of the former Northern Ireland star and feels it’s only a matter of time before he is working in the English top flight.

He said: “I was also lucky to play for a great coach and manager in Neil Lennon.

“He placed high demands on the players but never anything that was out of the ordinary. His demands were always realistic.

“He trusted me and he was the right man for me at that stage of my career.

“He is a top manager and I think he should be managing in the English Premier League.

“If he is given the right resources, he will take Bolton to promotion, probably next season.”

A few departures from Celtic Park have taken place in recent times and Virgil van Dijk joined Wanyama at Southampton in a £13m transfer on deadline day.

A year earlier, England keeper Fraser Forster moved to the same club for £10m.

Wanyama is loving life in the Premier League (Tony Marshall / Getty Images)

He has justified the price tag and forced his way into Roy Hodgson’s England plans before he was laid low by a broken knee-cap back in March.

Wanyama linked with a £20m transfer to Spurs last month has no doubt Van Dijk will be a top central defender and cope with the challenges of playing against the likes of Sergio Aguero, Theo Walcott, Christian Benteke, Harry Kane and Diego Costa in the coming months.

Wanyama said: “Virgil is a top quality defender, and I know he will be able to cope with the demands in England.

“Playing against top-quality players every week down here has improved my game it will be the same for Virgil.

“It will also be good when Fraser Forster is fit again and back in the team.

“To have three former Celtic players in the team will be a nice feeling.

“We all speak about our former club and that will never change.

“Celtic are special club.”Click here to read more Sunday Post sports news