Former West Ham and Celtic hero has mixed messages for his old clubs over Daniel Cummings as the Londoners eye second blow to Brendan Rodgers.
The love between Frank McAvennie and both West Ham and Celtic was such that he played for both clubs twice during his goal-laden career.
With nearly 100 goals in the claret and blue of the Hammers and the green and white hoops of Celtic, McAvennie is well placed to talk about what it takes to be a striker in the east end of London and the east end of Glasgow.
The man who made scoring goals look easy is uniquely placed on events unfolding between West Ham and the Bhoys right now.
West Ham have not had much luck with strikers in recent years.
McAvennie slams Celtic over Cummings’ West Ham move
It’s not for the want of trying – the Hammers have signed 56 of them in the last 15 seasons.
Making the right call has been rare at West Ham, though.
Now the Irons have turned to 19-year-old Celtic star Daniel Cummings in the hope that is all about to change.
When Celtic academy graduate Cummings was spotted at West Ham for the club’s final home game of the season, it was clear Brendan Rodgers had failed to change some hearts and minds.
The Hoops’ hot prospect forward had looked set to sign for the Hammers back in January.
West Ham held talks about signing Cummings both in a pre-contract agreement and on a permanent £500k deal ahead of him becoming a free agent this summer.
Celtic’s manager was furious at the prospect of losing free-scoring Cummings to West Ham.
Rodgers raged at Cummings’ agent over the West Ham talks and he pleaded with Cummings and his representatives to show patience and loyalty by staying at Celtic.
Rodgers even handed Cummings his debut in the Champions League against Aston Villa in what has turned out to be a futile bid to persuade him his future was with the Scottish giants.
It has been confirmed Cummings has passed a medical, a paltry £250k training fee has been set and the Celtic starlet will become a West Ham player on July 1st.
Hammers News moved to clarify rumours about Cummings that have been circulating at Celtic and West Ham.
It’s been claimed the deadly finisher is giving up being part of the Celtic first team to join West Ham’s Academy side.
It has been confirmed that is not the case and that Cummings has been assured a place in Graham Potter’s first team squad as part of West Ham’s youthful rebuild.
West Ham eye second big blow to Celtic boss Rodgers
Now McAvennie has slammed Celtic over the striker move as West Ham eye a second big Rodgers blow.
Cummings has bagged 30 goals for Celtic’s B team this season.
It must be remembered the side are competing in the Scottish pyramid, so those goals are coming against senior professionals, not other young players.
And McAvennie says Celtic should have done more to try and keep Cummings out of West Ham’s clutches.
Meanwhile he has a message for the player himself about how to endear himself to Hammers fans next season.
“He’s a great signing for West Ham,” McAvennie said on X.
“In my opinion Celtic should have kept him.
“Give 100 per cent and the (West Ham) fans will love you.”
West Ham are on the hunt for two strikers this summer.
That’s understandable with Danny Ings and Evan Ferguson gone and possibly Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug set to follow them out of the London Stadium exit as part of Potter’s overhaul.
First Cummings now Kvistgaarden for West Ham
The problem for Celtic is that the man they have long been lining up as their summer striker signing, is now very much in West Ham’s sights.
Former Celtic favourite Thomas Gravesen gave Celtic’s move to sign hotshot Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden his emphatic blessing recently.
Gravesen was so excited about Celtic’s plan to sign Kvistgaarden, he predicted the young Dane could go on to emulate the great Henrik Larsson.
“I am sure that he can reach Henrik Larsson’s level… he is simply that good and strong.”
Hopes were raised at Celtic recently when Brondby chairman Jan Bech Andersen revealed Kvistgaarden will likely be sold this summer.
Rodgers could be hit by a double Hammers blow, though.
Because West Ham are now pushing to make 23-year-old Kvistgaarden their second summer striker signing after Cummings.
A penny for Rodgers’ thoughts at this latest development. He will be sick of the sight of West Ham at this rate.
Kvistgaarden has scored 23 times this season and has been likened to Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres.
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