Haiti, Morocco and Brazil await Steve Clarke’s side in the USA this summer
Prague’s Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture make it one of Europe’s most remarkable cities. Andy Irving moved there in January. Not for the history, but for his own future. Joining Sparta Prague from West Ham United was an essential step in his career for regular club action and international progress. There is a World Cup place on the line, after all.
Leaving the razzmatazz of England’s Premier League for the Czech top flight might seem unusual for someone looking to advance in football. However, Irving isn’t daft. He needed to play more regularly. It wasn’t happening in London. The fact he is now playing in the Czech Chance Liga is rather apt. Sparta offered the opportunity of more action, and the former Hearts player seized it.
Scotland won’t ignore a talented left-footed midfielder playing every week at a good level. Moving to Prague has been win-win for Irving in that sense. The Staré Mesto, Charles Bridge and Saint Wenceslas Square are stunning surroundings comparable with his native Edinburgh, but the player is more at home in the Letna District where Sparta play. It is there he has earned the right to be a genuine contender for spot in Scotland’s World Cup squad.
He doesn’t give interviews too readily but speaks to the Edinburgh News from the national team hotel ahead of upcoming friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast. The next few days could go a long way to determining whether the 25-year-old from Portobello will be on that plane to the USA this summer.
“It’s always an honour to be called up. Every time the squad is coming out I’m hoping to be in it,” says Irving. “I had the experience last time out in November. Qualifying for the World Cup was an unbelievable feeling. I think it got everyone in the country buzzing for the summer. That’s always in the back of my head, playing games and hoping to put in good performances to give myself the best chance.
“It was a big factor in me joining Sparta, for sure. I loved my time at West Ham and had a great year and a half there. As much as I enjoyed the game time I got, I felt I needed more. With things like the World Cup and just playing for Scotland in general, I felt I needed more games and I needed to make a move. I was delighted Sparta came up and it’s been a good decision for far.”
National coach Steve Clarke spoke with Irving last year regarding the importance of game time at club level. “He’s been good with me,” explains Irving. “Every conversation I’ve had with him has been positive, especially when I first came into the squad. He was keen for me to get here and see the expectation level. I got my first cap last June, which was massive. I’ve had conversations with him about trying to get somewhere I can play more and expose myself that bit more.
“It was always in the back of my head that I would probably have to make a jump from West Ham at some point. It was important to get me playing. I knew I would then be in a better position to be called up regularly. Ultimately, it’s for myself as well. I want to be playing football and challenging myself every week. There is no better feeling than a game every week when you know you will be involved, as any player will tell you.”
With one Scotland cap neatly tucked away at home, Irving is hungry for more. That balmy night in Vaduz against Liechtenstein remains a career highlight. “After the game, there was just this feeling of massive satisfaction that you had achieved something you could only ever have dreamed about as a kid,” he recalls. “You go from playing football in the park to getting a cap for your country. It’s something I will cherish forever. I hope I don’t only get one. I’d love to go on and get a lot more, but it is a fantastic feeling. Just pride, really. All of us boys are patriotic and to represent your country on the international stage is fantastic.”
Irving’s route to the international arena is fairly well-documented. From Hearts, he joined German third-tier side Türkgücü Munich in 2021, however they filed for insolvency the following year. He left for Austria Klagenfurt and then became a West Ham player 18 months later. “It’s a bit mad, to be honest. I feel I’ve taken a more left-field route. It’s not all been sunshine and straightforward progress,” he admits.
On the plus side, young Andy has made some pretty cool pals on his unorthodox journey. “I probably got to where I am out of love for football and dedication. I’ve made a lot of good mates along the way, especially in Austria. There were a group of lads there who I spent a lot time with because we all lived there alone. We were either drinking coffee, going out for food, cooking for each other or whatever. At West Ham, I’m still good mates with Niclas Fullkrug [now at AC Milan], Tinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, Prowsey [James Ward-Prowse] and a few others. I’m lucky to have an array of friends from different parts of the world.”
There are plenty mates within the Scotland camp, too. Irving could find himself becoming a mainstay there given the country’s need for a left-midfield succession plan. Callum McGregor is retired, John McGinn and Ryan Christie are 31, and Kenny McLean is 34. “I just hope I can play regular club football and stake a claim to be a regular in the Scotland squad. That’s the aim for me. I’m 25 so I have a bit of time on my side. I’d love to become a regular,” he says with typical humility.
He isn’t too proud to go into detail about what he has learned on his travels, either. Being an English Premier League player opened doors to all sorts of expertise and high standards. Irving was like a sponge, soaking it all in. “Oh, I learned lots,” he laughs. “I learned a lot about professionalism. I’ve always been pretty professional but, when you go up the levels to the Premier League, you see what guys are doing when it comes to nutrition and things like that.
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“That’s something I learned a lot about from players who had played at that level for many years. I learned loads of things - tactical elements, how to manage a game better, make better decisions, all that stuff. The Premier League is such a high level so, if you make one poor decision, it can literally result in a goal.
“Physically, I worked a lot in the gym with the sports scientists. I feel it improved my game massively and I look back on the time at West Ham really fondly. When I first went there, I was keen to stay at that level and prove I was good enough to be part of the squad. To make that jump, solidify my place in the squad and compete with the players there was invaluable. I loved the experience of playing against top players and top teams. I’m definitely better for it.”
Nine games into his time in Prague, Irving has enjoyed a European debut in the Conference League, plus an assist in that competition and another two in the league. He is taken with Sparta’s exuberance. “One thing that really excited me was the passion. I got sent a video of the fans, the stadium and the atmosphere. Now, getting to play at the stadium every week is fantastic. The noise is great and the fans are with you. They expect a lot but Sparta is a big club with big expectations. You also get brilliant support at away games. It’s been a great step for me at this stage of my career.”
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