At twenty five years old a player should be absolutely in his prime: Playing regularly, building fitness, match sharpness and rewarding his club with top tier performances for which he, in turn is highly paid by his Premier League employers.
For Scot Andy Irving, though , the picture is bitter sweet. He’s just been celebrating his International debut, coming on during Scotland’s 4-0 win way at Lichtenstein. Irving himself described the event as ‘perfect’.
His domestic career however seems far from perfect. After failing to impress at Hearts, Irving moved via Germany to Austria where he was picked up by David Moyes and loaned back to Klagenfurt. Lopetegui decided to keep him with the main squad but Irving has only been a bit-part player and surely needs to move on to further his own career.
Celtic, according to fan site the celticstar.com have already enquired twice about taking the Irn-Bru Iniesta back north. Both enquiries were declined but it seems there may be an imminent third attempt to lure Irving away from West Ham:
“West Ham’s Andy Irving is a player of interest for Celtic” : Graham Potter has now had a good look at Irving – as have we all – and it seems likely that the time is nigh for the Hammers and for Irving to say their goodbyes, shake hands and move on. The Hammers have youngsters returning from loan who will offer Potter an extra level of pace and creativity in midfield- Irving for all his likability possibly doesn’t have that ‘X’ factor to standout and succeed in the Premier League.
Andy Irving is decent bloke who works incredibly hard for the team, sadly his future looks elsewhere add the fact his contract only pays 13k week for a premier league player which is very low ‘ would like to see him move to Celtic earning more than his current contract pays because he deserves better than the way he’s treated at West Ham
He should leave for his own sake and to further his career. Both Lopetegui & Potter retained him and never played him, even when they should have, given the poor midfield performances at WHU.
When a manager says he likes the look of him, yet plays outclassed midfield combinations that get pushed about and you have him staying on the bench, the player is only there just in case and he had best leave. Irving is not a journeyman.
In an ideal world, a well struck football during training, flying into the nuts of the manager is recommended as beneficial to both.
I’ve got to admit I wasn’t a fan and have warmed to him. In my eyes he’s better than Rodriguez and offers better ball retention and passing than Alverez. For me, both those go before Irvine.
I cant agree with the negative sentiments about Andy Irving. It just seems we roll over and accept the evaluations of the WH coaches, who have their own pets and “I dont likes”
The lad has not even been given a total of 1x match opportunity at West Ham to showcase his talents.
From the little bit I saw the lad has got good vision, ball skills and a wonderful shot a goal. His goal in a the pre-season friendly 24/25 season was world class. So how did all that suddenly go away?
So really not fair to sum the lad up in a bad way. In fact may Celtic buy him, and show West Ham what we really had. And then I’ll say “told you so”
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I cant agree with the negative sentiments about Andy Irving. It just seems we roll over and accept the evaluations of the WH coaches, who have their own pets and “I dont likes”
The lad has not even been given a total of 1x match opportunity at West Ham to showcase his talents.
From the little bit I saw the lad has got good vision, ball skills and a wonderful shot a goal. His goal in a the pre-season 24/25 season was world class. So how did all that suddenly go away?
So really not fair to sum the lad up in a bad way. In fact may Celtic buy him, and show West Ham what we really had. And then I’ll say “told you so”
He’s been treated unfairly by both coaches not been given enough game time and it was simply impossible for any new players to integrate with such a varied, inconsistent, unpredictable and erratic midfield with absolutely no shape or workable plan. If Celtic offer him an escape route he shouldn’t hesitate and we wish him all the best for the rest of his career as he’s a class act.
Couldn’t agree more. Totally not for west ham or another premier club . From his appearances at west ham way below our standard needed. Sell asp
If Scotland is calling then all the best and good luck Andy!