Victor Wanyama ‘staying at Celtic’

Celtic star Victor Wanyama. Picture: SNS

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The Kenyan, 21, has enjoyed a superb campaign at Parkhead, leading to him being linked with a number of Barclays Premier League sides.

His impressive form has resulted in speculation that a bidding war could take place for his signature in the summer.

But Wanyama has handed Celtic a boost by stating he wants to remain in the east end of Glasgow. The midfielder said: “I’m happy here and I love it here at Celtic so I’ll be here next season.

“I still have a contract with Celtic and I’m happy at the club so I think I’ll still be here.

“We want to do better than this season so if we can get the treble next season, it will be a very good achievement for me.

“That’s my dream for next season. Also, playing in the Champions League again.”

Manager Neil Lennon slapped a £25 million price tag on the player’s head in October and Wanyama smiled: “What the manager says is his opinion so if he thinks I’m worth that, it’s fine with me.”

Wanyama was speaking after being nominated for PFA Scotland’s young player of the year award, along with Dundee United duo Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven and Leigh Griffiths of Hibernian.

He said: “It means a lot to me. I’ve had a good season. I’m very grateful and I want to thank my team-mates for giving me the chance to be here and having a good season.

“For me, as a player, I believe that football is a game of learning. The more you play, the more you learn.”

With Griffiths, Michael Higdon, Niall McGinn and Andrew Shinnie short-listed for player of the year, Wanyama is the only Celtic player to make the cut this year. He added: “I’m very surprised because, looking at my team-mates, they have had a very good season and the team has had a good season.

“There are a lot of players individually who have had a very good season and I’m just gutted that they’re not here with me.”

Wanyama’s Celtic team-mate Gary Hooper’s contract is up at the end of the season and has also been linked with a move away, but yesterday chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “Gary has a year and you never know. A lot has to do with the player and what he wants to do but there are three parties.

“If there is a possibility the kid wants to stay and that is Neil’s gut feeling, who knows?”