Celtic are reportedly keeping tabs on West Ham United’s Andy Irving as the January transfer window looms.
According to The Daily Mail, the Scottish champions are exploring a potential move for the 24-year-old midfielder to bolster their already stacked engine room.
Celtic previously showed interest in Irving during the summer, when they were also pursuing Luke McCowan. While McCowan ultimately joined from Dundee for £1 million, Irving remained with West Ham and has since made a few appearances for the Hammers.
The former Hearts player has made seven appearances for the Hammers this season.
With Callum McGregor, Paulo Bernardo, Arne Engels, Reo Hatate, and Luke McCowan already competing for spots, the Hoops boast one of the strongest midfield units in their recent history. Adding Irving to the mix could be viewed as an effort to future-proof the squad or enhance squad depth for their domestic and European campaigns.
However, such a move may hinge on departures. The January window could see the likes of fringe players or those seeking more game time move on, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone that would fit that category in the middle of the pitch.
While the rumours are intriguing, signing another midfielder in January seems unlikely unless there is a significant shakeup in the squad, which also feels unlikely. Celtic’s priorities may lie elsewhere, particularly in the wings.
Andy Irving remains on Celtic’s radar, but whether the club acts on their interest will likely depend on how their January transfer plans unfold.
Disagree, as would class another midfield option fairly highly on our agenda imo?
Main factor being is that it is taking our midfield players, usually half a season to get up to fitting in properly, to what Rodgers is looking from them, since his return?
Only starting to see the real value of what Engels brings to ourselves now, this after Paulo before him, and even Calmac and Hatate took time to also shine under Rodgers, with McCowan still searching to become a regular starter at present also?
As it could be a case of Hatate moving on in the summer, then getting another option in now, would make sense imo?
Monty has turned into the invisible man at present, after high hopes for him when he first entered the scene, but doesn’t seem to be the case with Rodgers now?
Our homegrown quota requirements can’t afford to remain idle either, especially with calmac and forrest at the back end of there careers also?
We hardly want to be in a situation like the scum are currently in, with having to leave out players for a European squad, and can’t fill the homegrown quota requirements?