VICTOR WANYAMA NOW A SAINT!!

I’d NEVER quit Celts for Saints

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By JOHN HARTSON

VICTOR WANYAMA might be heading for the Premier League, but he will miss Celtic.

I have to say, if I were in his shoes I would NOT be giving up the Hoops for Southampton.
With every respect to Saints, he’s going to a far lesser club, no matter if they play in what’s termed the greatest league in the world.
Listen, I wish the lad all the luck in the world. I sincerely congratulate him on making such an impact after barely two years at Parkhead that he’s persuaded a club to come in with a massive £12.5million offer.
But in my eyes he’s leaving a world-renowned club for a bottom-six outfit which will be fighting relegation in the season ahead.
A harsh verdict some might think, but SunSport readers have long known I don’t mince my words.

Wanyama’s a monster of a boy. He’s so strong and so powerful and equipped with everything to take the Premier League by storm. I’ve no doubts about his ability to succeed in England.
I’m just amazed that none of the top six sides have come in for him, particularly my old club Arsenal. I think he would be perfect for the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger has long established himself as a manager who loves to speculate on promising players and coach them to a greater level.
My sources at the club tell me he was closely tracking Wanyama’s progress at Celtic. Yet Wenger hasn’t followed up with a serious bid.
That really puzzles me because I thought he would have been ideal at Arsenal.
Wanyama’s price tag surely wasn’t prohibitive for them and, at 22, he’s only going to get better.

I didn’t think Manchester United would go for the lad, but after that I was expecting at least one of the big English sides to have a go.
Fair play to Southampton for showing that ambition.
I believe that their coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has a decent transfer budget.
However, I still can’t see them being anything other than a team fighting for survival this season.

Wanyama won’t be sorry to see the back of the SPL and he’ll be excited about the prospect of playing at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, The Etihad and The Emirates.
But what he won’t have is the adulation you get playing for a club like Celtic or, indeed, the massive European nights he thrived on last season.
I’ll never forget the sight of Wanyama rising brilliantly at the far post to meet Charlie Mulgrew’s corner and bullet a header beyond Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.
That goal set Celtic on their way to a magnificent Champions League victory over one of the greatest teams ever.

Wanyama’s goal and his performance that night had the rest of the footballing world talking about him.
Every big club took notice of him after that.
He was even lauded by UEFA.
To go from all that to playing for Southampton is a big climbdown for the boy.
When you are at Celtic there is always someone taking an interest in you.
Wherever you go off the park you get requests for autographs or photographs, while there is also no shortage of folk to give you a bit of abuse.
You could be in a restaurant, or even at a petrol station filling up your car, and you’ll get attention.

But that’s the price of being a player for a massive club like Celtic.
I have to mention also the overwhelming generosity and kindness you’re shown around Glasgow and the rest of Scotland by the fans.
If you are doing the business on the park, you are worshipped. By and large it’s all positive and you are made to feel like a king.
Celtic will always be a part of me and whenever I return I’m given a fabulous welcome.
It’s the same for all of the lads who were successful. Deep down we all miss the club.
And I’m telling you, Wanyama will be the same.
Today he’s about to commit to Southampton and it would not surprise me if he made an early impact.

Indeed, come January’s transfer window it could even be the case those big clubs who held back this time will make a move.
Southampton, though, are making a big investment in Wanyama in transfer fee and wages and they will surely want a return before they are tempted to cash in later.
I’m delighted I’m going to be one of Match of the Day’s pundits for next season. That will allow me to see plenty of Wanyama in action.
Despite my reservations over his choice of club, that doesn’t mean I want him to fail at Southampton.

I’d love to see him succeed because that would also reflect well on Celtic and what they’ve done for him as a player.
To get £12.5m for Wanyama is a marvellous bit of business. It’s great to see Celtic get top dollar.
Maybe that cash will also allow them to hang on to Gary Hooper for the final year of his contract.