Rangers have reportedly entered the race to sign West Ham midfielder Andy Irving, according to The Scotsman, potentially setting up a direct battle with Celtic for his signature.
Reports claim a £3.5 million bid could be enough to land the 25-year-old, with Celtic understood to have already seen a £2.2 million offer rejected earlier in the window.
Irving has been on Celtic’s radar on and off for the past year and is now believed to be available for transfer this summer. The former Hearts player made his breakthrough in Austria with Austria Klagenfurt before earning a move to West Ham in 2023.
Last season in England saw him make 11 appearances – ten in the Premier League and one in the EFL Cup – but he has found it difficult to secure a regular starting place under Graham Potter.
With minutes hard to come by, Irving is expected to look for a move where he can play more regularly. The midfielder’s blend of technical ability and experience in Scotland and abroad fits the type Brendan Rodgers has brought in before.
Even so, Celtic’s midfield is already crowded. Club-record signing Arne Engels, who arrived last summer, and Portugal U21 skipper Paulo Bernardo are among those battling for game time, with Bernardo still waiting for his first outing of the season.
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes in action with Celtic's Arne Engels
Soccer Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Celtic v Newcastle United – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – July 19, 2025 Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes in action with Celtic’s Arne Engels REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Rangers’ interest could make things trickier for Celtic if they choose to come back with a bigger offer. Russell Martin is also said to want a creative spark in midfield, leaving Austria Wien’s former standout in the middle of a possible Glasgow derby transfer battle.
It will be interesting to see which club Irving decides to join, with interest from both sides of the Glasgow divide adding extra intrigue to the midfielder’s next move.
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