Asking price set as Celtic and Rangers battle it out for West Ham’s Andy Irving
Glasgow rivals Celtic and Rangers are set to compete in the transfer market for a Premier League player as both continue to strengthen their squads before the window shuts.
Brendan Rodgers has made clear he wants more additions, particularly in forward areas, as Celtic want to continue making progress in the Champions League.
Russell Martin has already acquired a host of new signings this summer, but his Rangers squad have got off to a bad start domestically.
Martin is already under pressure at Rangers, and his side have not won any of their first two matches in the Scottish Premiership.
Price set on Hammers midfielder
As per the Daily Record [August 12], West Ham have placed a £3.5million valuation on midfielder Andy Irving, with Celtic and Rangers both interested in a deal.
The 25-year-old also has admirers from club’s in Italy and Germany as he looks to kick start his career after two seasons at West Ham, which included a successful loan spell at Austria Klagenfurt.
Irving is a Scotland international and help fulfil Celtic and Rangers’ home grown quota for UEFA competition.
Football Insider exclusively revealed that Monaco left-back Kassoum Ouattara is wanted by both Celtic and Rangers in another transfer battle between the two Glasgow club’s.
Glasgow giants under pressure to add attacking bodies
Football Insider Verdict
Despite a winning start to the Scottish Premiership season, it is clear Celtic need some attacking reinforcements.
The Hoops looked like they would have to settle for a 0-0 draw on the opening weekend until a deflected Luke McCowan strike snuck them past St Mirren.
A comfortable 2-0 win at Aberdeen followed, but Celtic need to add more goals to the team especially for when they compete in the Champions League.
Irving was not used at West Ham last season making just 11 appearances in all competitions, and in a poor campaign for the Hammers that signals his time at the club is up.
Previous spells though in Austria and in Scotland, with Hearts, have proven his goal scoring and creative abilities.
| Appearances | 64 |
| Goals | 16 |
| Assists | 14 |
Rangers’ first two league games also suggest they could do with an extra attacking dimension, with frustrating 1-1 draws against Motherwell and Dundee.
Those results have already put the Gers four points behind their rivals, in what could prove crucial come the end of the season.
Martin is too waiting nervously on an injury picked up by striker Cyriel Dessers in their Champions League defeat to Viktoria Plzen which could prove a major blow.