Former Tottenham star sent off on debut as manager makes 'needs work' admission

A former Tottenham midfielder endured a nightmare debut on Saturday. Victor Wanyama had been searching for a new club after a long spell with CF Montreal in MLS, and at the age of 33, he decided to pen a short-term deal with Scottish Championship strugglers Dunfermline Athletic, who are fighting for their lives, one from bottom.

Wanyama has linked up with Neil Lennon, but he may have been a little too rusty when he came off the bench to make his debut against Ayr. Wanyama was brought on with the score at 1-0, and after Ayr had already made it two, and just 20 minutes into his cameo, the midfielder was sent off.

The Kenya international was given his marching orders after a handball, and Ayr went on to add a third goal in stoppage time. Speaking after the game, Dunfermline boss Lennon issued an honest verdict on where Wanyama is currently.

He told BBC Sport: "I'm disappointed with our lack of goal threat, our lack of belief and quality in the final third. That's something we have to improve on as that's five games out of six in which we haven't scored. I know we've got a mountain of work to do but that's why I'm here. There's a fragility at the minute that we need to change.

"Victor (Wanyama) is in there with his head down. We knew he would be rusty but we wanted to give him some minutes. He slipped, didn't he? You can tell he needs work."

Dunfermline are two points behind Hamilton in eighth place, and should they finish in ninth, they will have to play a relegation playoff. Wanyama will now be suspended for the next game, but he will need to get in shape quickly if he wants to help Lennon’s men secure their safety without the need for a playoff.

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