Not many people can turn down the charm of Hollywood mega star Ryan Reynolds, but West Ham enigma Andy Irving went one further by snubbing ever-rising Wrexham and Scottish giants Celtic in the summer.
Andy Irving is something of a throwback in the modern game, particularly in the Premier League.
There is something of the John McGinn about West Ham’s little known Scot.
Although he was not little known as far as Celtic and Wrexham were concerned in the summer window.
Irving is somewhat old school, no frills, no bling, not flashy. He drives a Nissan Juke and likes hiking in the mountains.
For someone who loves being in the mountains, turning down moves to Wales and Scotland to stay on the straights of Stratford is some statement.
He is, without doubt, one of the most intriguing and unique cult heroes West Ham have ever had.
Celtic and Wrexham made moves for West Ham’s Irving
It looked like the odd story of Irving and the Hammers would not get its fairy-tale ending when Celtic and his homeland beckoned.
There was also the allure of the mystique that surrounds what Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been creating by completely transforming Wrexham.
Hammers News revealed Celtic tested the water with a bid for Irving of £1.75m plus £500k in add-ons last month.
West Ham rejected the offer and, reportedly, demanded at least £3.5m to let him go.
Celtic were widely expected to come back and front the money to bring the Scotland international back north of the border.
Wrexham then came from nowhere to try and hijack the move for Irving.
A Hammers exit seemed almost certain.
But come deadline day, Irving remained at West Ham.
It has been claimed since that Irving’s demands scuppered any move. That, Hammers News understands, is not quite how things panned out.
Now the man himself has delivered the truth about the situation.
West Ham enigma Irving has revealed why he turned down Celtic and Wrexham – and it had nothing to do with money or unrealistic demands.
In a lengthy new interview with West Ham’s media team, Irving has stated there is ‘nothing better than being back in Scotland’ after going home for the off-season.
West Ham enigma Irving reveals why he snubbed Celtic and Wrexham
So what is he still doing in east London this season when Scottish giants Celtic came calling?
Given the bizarre way his Hammers career has been handled, Irving could be forgiven for wanting out of West Ham when the Red Dragons and Bhoys came knocking.
The 25-year-old was like West Ham’s dirty little secret last summer.
Irving’s fellow Scot David Moyes was West Ham boss when the club signed him from SK Austria Klagenfurt before immediately loaning him back in 2023.
Then technical director Tim Steidten did a £1.5m deal for Irving which effectively made a feeder club partnership above board.
To this day, West Ham have never officially unveiled or announced Irving as a signing.
There was barely any mention of Irving last pre-season under Julen Lopetegui.
But a lack of bodies meant Irving was used in most pre-season matches and so his underdog story began.
Some brilliantly taken friendly goals – along with the strange way West Ham handled his arrival, which included not naming him in a match report of one pre-season match – saw Irving become an unlikely fan favourite.
He was among the goals again this pre-season under Graham Potter, who has been full of praise for Irving.
Many feel Irving is going to struggle to ever be a starter for West Ham.
Especially after the arrivals of £60m duo Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa.
Irving lifts lid on truth behind West Ham stay
But Irving’s impressive cameo in the 3-0 win at Forest has West Ham fans now viewing him as a serious option rather than the fun enigma he had become.
But while Irving admits he is not getting as much game time as he would like – and was fully aware of the transfer links to the likes of Celtic and Wrexham, as well as a late reported attempt from Leicester – he insists he remains convinced he can make it in the Premier League with West Ham.
“Of course it can be difficult mentally (when you don’t get game time), but your focus has to be on what you can control, which is by working hard and training well every day, and every time you get on the pitch, whether it’s for ten minutes, 30 minutes or starting, you can only give your best,” Irving told West Ham’s website.
“You’ve got to take it and try and impress in that time, and I’ve tried to do that all the time since I arrived here…
Irving: ‘There was a lot of speculation’
“There was a lot of speculation and media (over the summer), but ultimately for me, I’m in a good place here at West Ham.
“I really enjoy it here, so I was keen to stay and continue giving my best for the club, and I believe that I’ll have another progressive year here, and I’ll benefit a lot from it.
“I really enjoy the work that we put in here, and I really enjoy the role that I have within the squad on and off the pitch.”
There’s no doubt that role would have been more prominent at Celtic or Wrexham.
But in an age when players hop from one club to the next for more money or because they demand to be starting every game, it is refreshing to see old fashioned values like Irving’s do still exist.
He says he’ll be ready whenever his opportunities come along.
And West Ham fans will be ready to make him a fully-fledged Hammers hero if he does make a success of things at the London Stadium.
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