Montpellier star linked to Celtic, West Ham makes Andy Irving decision

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·14 de junho de 2025

Montpellier star linked to Celtic, West Ham makes Andy Irving decision

West Ham and Scotland midfielder Andy Irving was a Celtic target in both last summer’s transfer window and again in January 2025. As we reported earlier this week on The Celtic Star, it was possible this was a deal Celtic could revisit when the current transfer window opens on Monday.

Andy Irving of West Ham during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United FC at Stamford Bridge on February 03, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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READ THIS…West Ham’s Andy Irving is a player of interest for Celtic

Now it appears Celtic have some encouragement in that regard with West Ham site Claret & Hugh confirming Irving is available for transfer in this window and the player himself is open to a move in search of regular first team football.

‘C&H understand that Irving is open to a move away from the London Stadium in search of more regular first-team football.

Andy Irving of West Ham during the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham at Stamford Bridge on February 03, 2025. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The club, meanwhile, are keen to promote Freddie Potts into a more prominent role next season following his successful loan spell. This move will limit Irving’s’ chances even further and with more midfielders expected to arrive, things will only get worse for the Scotsman. A West Ham insider told us: “Almost everyone is for sale—and Irving is no exception.”

With game time expected to be limited, the Hammers appear open to offers. A switch to Celtic Park could suit all parties.’

Andy Irving of West Ham celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during a Pre-Season Friendly match between Dagenham & Redbridge and West Ham United at Chigwell Construction Stadium on July 20, 2024. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)

READ THIS…Celtic Eye Bargain Move for West Ham Midfielder – West Ham News

West Ham’s Andy Irving is a former Hearts player, who left the club after feeling unwanted at Tynecastle and instead moved to Germany where he ended up initially at Türkgücü München in Germany’s third tier.

Irving may have initially regretted that decision as his club went out of business.

However, after a period back in Scotland and without a club, Irving switched to SK Austria Klagenfurt, where an outstanding spell in Austria, where he scored 16 goals and assisted on 14 occasions across 60 games, saw Irving catch the eye of former Hammers boss David Moyes and he ended up switching Austria for the EPL.

David Moyes has since left the club, and his replacement Julen Lopetegui apparently scuppered Celtic’s hopes of signing Irving last summer as he was impressed by him during pre-season.

David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United, applauds the fans after the team’s defeat during the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on May 28, 2023 (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Irving then saw Lopetegui sacked and replaced by Graham Potter, and once again Celtic’s interest was knocked back, with Potter keen to see the player for himself before considering sanctioning a move on loan.

Over the course of the season however Irving has only made 10 appearances for West Ham, and it may well be that West Ham would be open to an initial loan deal for Irving given the player is now 25 and hasn’t established himself beyond being a squad player under Graham Potter.

Irving is a left footed and cultured central midfielder and has the physical build and athleticism Rodgers appears to be targeting.

He can play as a number six, or further forward, but as Celtic look to succession plan for Callum McGregor who turns 32 today (happy birthday skipper), Irving could fit the bill as a rotation option initially but also a replacement as a defensive midfielder as and when Callum McGregor reduces his game-time.

Callum McGregor. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

With Celtic appearing to be in the market for a deep lying, defensively minded midfield playmaker, Andy Irving may well fit the bill.

If it’s ever going to happen for Irving and Celtic it would appear that moment is now, with the player keen for first team football to ensure he remains in the thoughts of Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Celtic on the look-out for a physical and athletic central midfielder.

Meanwhile Celtic are also rumoured to be in the mix when it comes to signing Montpellier defensive midfielder Joris Chotard.

The former France Under 21 international is keen to move on from his club after relegation from Ligue 1 this season and Celtic are said to be tentatively interested in procuring his services but acutely aware they face tough competition.

Joris Chotard of Team France looks on prior to the Men’s group A match between France and United States during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on July 24, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Chotard will be able however to get a first-hand report on what it’s like to play your football with the Scottish champions having played alongside former Celtic defender Christopher Julien at Montpellier this season.

Whilst Andy Irving is a player Celtic have held a long-standing interest in it is likely that deal would be less problematic than one for Chotard, but with the French television deal collapse having financial repercussions for every club in France, outside PSG, Celtic could be well placed to take advantage with secure finances and a significant buffer sitting in the club accounts.

Niall J

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