adminRangers Eye Late Transfers to Close Gap on Celtic, Target West Ham Midfielder Andy Irving
Glasgow Rangers are aiming to strengthen their squad further before the summer transfer window closes, hoping to narrow the early lead Celtic have built in the Scottish Premiership title race.
After two games, Rangers sit in mid-table with just two points, while Celtic have started strong with back-to-back wins and a perfect six-point tally. While Russell Martin’s side is also chasing European qualification, domestic league performance remains the top priority—and fresh signings may be the key to turning things around.
So far, Rangers’ biggest acquisition has been Oscar Cortes, who joined permanently after a loan spell. However, the Colombian has barely featured, with only an eight-minute appearance against Motherwell to his name. Another notable signing is Oliver Antman from Go Ahead Eagles, who has not only bolstered Rangers’ squad but may have indirectly hindered Celtic’s transfer plans. The Dutch club reportedly no longer need to sell Celtic target Jakob Breum thanks to the funds from Antman’s transfer.
Now, Rangers are eyeing a move that could further frustrate their Old Firm rivals.
Rangers Move to Hijack Celtic’s Bid for Andy Irving
According to The Scotsman, Rangers are considering a bid for West Ham midfielder Andy Irving—just weeks after Celtic had a £2.25 million offer rejected. West Ham are said to be holding out for around £3.5 million.
Irving, who joined West Ham in 2023, could be offered a route back to Scotland with Rangers, potentially giving him more first-team football ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. The 24-year-old earned his first Scotland cap in June during a friendly against Liechtenstein and will be hoping for more opportunities to represent his country.
Though he logged just 162 minutes of Premier League action last season, Irving’s versatility across midfield positions—defensive, central, or attacking—has attracted significant interest. Even if Celtic back off after their failed bid, Rangers will still face stiff competition from clubs in Germany, Italy, and Austria.
Why Irving Is in High Demand
Nicknamed “The Portobello Pirlo” during his time at Hearts’ academy, Irving has yet to make a serious breakthrough at West Ham. However, his loan spell in Austria last season showcased his talent and versatility.
While Austrian football often flies under the radar for British fans, its top division is currently ranked higher than the Scottish Premiership in the Global Football Rankings. Irving thrived in that environment, standing out statistically among midfielders with similar roles. His performances proved he’s more than capable of contributing across all areas of the pitch—whether it’s scoring, creating, or defending.
Given his metrics and all-round ability, it’s no surprise both Rangers and Celtic have shown serious interest. But with top-tier European clubs also in the mix, Rangers will need to act decisively if they want to bring Irving to Ibrox.
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