Post by Admin on Dec 21, 2011 18:47:47 GMT
Victor Wanyama has been in great form during Celtic's unbeaten run
VICTOR WANYAMA is desperate to make his Old Firm debut next week after being forced to look on from the sidelines the last time.
The midfielder was an unused substitute at Ibrox as the Hoops crashed to a 4-2 defeat against the Scottish champions in September.
The Kenya international was still settling into his new surroundings at the Parkhead club at the time following his arrival from Belgian side Beerschot AC in the summer.
Now the 20-year-old believes he is ready to cope with the occasion, especially with the backing of the fans at a packed Celtic Park.
Wanyama said: "It would be nice to play because I didn't get off the bench last time. It's the kind of game every player wants to play in.
"I think the fans have shown very good support to us and myself. They are always behind us and I am very happy to have fans like that.
"They sing for a whole game and that gives us energy. I want to give it my all for them so they are happy."
Celtic are seeking their eighth consecutive win in the SPL against Kilmarnock on Saturday ahead of Wednesday's clash with Rangers.
And Wanyama believes Neil Lennon's men have every chance of making amends for their earlier derby defeat when they host the SPL leaders.
He added: "If we keep our good form going until then we will have a good chance because our confidence will be high."
Wanyama has played an important part in Celtic's recent run by grabbing the only goal of the game to seal the points against Hearts earlier this month.
The impressive long-range strike allowed him to open his goalscoring account for Celtic and he says the goal was all down to his soaring confidence.
Wanyama told Celtic View: "They (team-mates) were all saying: 'Victor, you don't shoot, how was that possible?'
"I told them I shoot now because my confidence has grown a lot recently.
"It was very good scoring my first goal for the club and I was also happy because it was the winning goal. I gave my team three points and that felt nice.
"I think it was a special goal and you can only score like that once.
"I don't really practice shooting in training, especially not from that far, so I was very happy after it."
VICTOR WANYAMA is desperate to make his Old Firm debut next week after being forced to look on from the sidelines the last time.
The midfielder was an unused substitute at Ibrox as the Hoops crashed to a 4-2 defeat against the Scottish champions in September.
The Kenya international was still settling into his new surroundings at the Parkhead club at the time following his arrival from Belgian side Beerschot AC in the summer.
Now the 20-year-old believes he is ready to cope with the occasion, especially with the backing of the fans at a packed Celtic Park.
Wanyama said: "It would be nice to play because I didn't get off the bench last time. It's the kind of game every player wants to play in.
"I think the fans have shown very good support to us and myself. They are always behind us and I am very happy to have fans like that.
"They sing for a whole game and that gives us energy. I want to give it my all for them so they are happy."
Celtic are seeking their eighth consecutive win in the SPL against Kilmarnock on Saturday ahead of Wednesday's clash with Rangers.
And Wanyama believes Neil Lennon's men have every chance of making amends for their earlier derby defeat when they host the SPL leaders.
He added: "If we keep our good form going until then we will have a good chance because our confidence will be high."
Wanyama has played an important part in Celtic's recent run by grabbing the only goal of the game to seal the points against Hearts earlier this month.
The impressive long-range strike allowed him to open his goalscoring account for Celtic and he says the goal was all down to his soaring confidence.
Wanyama told Celtic View: "They (team-mates) were all saying: 'Victor, you don't shoot, how was that possible?'
"I told them I shoot now because my confidence has grown a lot recently.
"It was very good scoring my first goal for the club and I was also happy because it was the winning goal. I gave my team three points and that felt nice.
"I think it was a special goal and you can only score like that once.
"I don't really practice shooting in training, especially not from that far, so I was very happy after it."