Wanyama claims fans’ anger affected Celtic players

Victor Wanyama has claimed Celtic fans stripped the players of confidence after St Johnstone took the lead in their shock win at Parkhead on Sunday.

The Kenya international, 20, signed from Belgium club Germinal Beerschot in the summer, made his competitive debut for Celtic in defence alongside Daniel Majstorovic as Dave Mackay’s second-half strike gave the visitors their first win in the east end of Glasgow since 1998.

The Celtic supporters shrugged off Kris Commons’ failure to convert a penalty in the third minute but grew increasingly agitated as Neil Lennon’s men squandered several chances thereafter, despite not being at their best.

Wanyama was aware of his new team-mates’ confidence disintegrating as the second half wore on and St Johnstone held firm. “It was very disappointing to lose on my debut,” he said. “When they scored the fans wanted us to play better and that’s when the confidence of some of us went down. The crowd wanted more but we couldn’t handle it so we need to work on that.

“The manager was disappointed after the game and that is normal because we didn’t do that well. We didn’t take our chances, that was the only problem. At home we can beat anybody but we were unlucky.”

Lennon will have to work hard to rebuild confidence ahead of the second leg of the Europa League play-off against Sion in Switzerland on Thursday night, which is still very much in the balance following the goalless draw at Celtic Park.

With Charlie Mulgrew doubtful, Wanyama may keep his place if Kelvin Wilson fails to recover from his leg injury and the Kenyan believes that Celtic can recover their form to make it through to the group stages.

“I think we will get a good result,” he said. “We can go there and win.”