Andy Irving

[Saint Jambo]

1 minute ago, jbee647 said:

He was not, this myth keeps getting perpetuated as fact, by May 2021, Craig Levein was long gone 

 

Left the club in June 2020, but had been working on 'behind the scenes' projects following his sacking as manager at the end of October 2019. It is slightly bizarre that people are blaming Irving leaving on Levein.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52660126

 

Along with Savage and Neilson, the other person involved in the decision to leave was Irving. Since leaving Irving has talked in the media about making his mind up early that he wanted to leave and try his luck abroad.

[Joey J J Jr Shabadoo]

17 minutes ago, jbee647 said:

He was not, this myth keeps getting perpetuated as fact, by May 2021, (the time Irving was released) Craig Levein was long gone 

But he was still there after he got sacked. That much is true.

[Chaps]

Irving was very poorly treated in the end by Hearts especially from Savage.

[Pasquale for King]

8 minutes ago, Chaps said:

Irving was very poorly treated in the end by Hearts especially from Savage.

I don’t think Neilson was that unhappy to see him leave either tbh. 
Andy is the one laughing at those two now though.

[Shanks]

Delighted for him.  Was written off by many and he’s now getting game time in the Prem and Scotland call up. 

[Taffin]

Really pleased for the guy. That said since his departure I've never yearned for him to have still be with us.

 

Sounds like he's made an excellent career for himself.

[Diadora Van Basten]

6 minutes ago, Shanks said:

Delighted for him.  Was written off by many and he’s now getting game time in the Prem and Scotland call up. 

Just goes to show that it can be done. 

[john thomas]

22 minutes ago, Shanks said:

Delighted for him.  Was written off by many and he’s now getting game time in the Prem and Scotland call up. 

Great football story

[briever]

How exactly has Irving done enough to get a call up?  A few off the bench games.

 

This says more about Clarke, the guy is clueless.

[ｕｎｋｎｏｗｎｕｓｅｒ]

6 minutes ago, briever said:

How exactly has Irving done enough to get a call up?  A few off the bench games.

 

This says more about Clarke, the guy is clueless.

 

Maybe we plan on bringing him on at 3-0 down, that's all the poor lad's seen

[HeartsandonlyHearts]

50 minutes ago, Taffin said:

Really pleased for the guy. That said since his departure I've never yearned for him to have still be with us.

 

Sounds like he's made an excellent career for himself.

Probably just matured a little. I have no idea if he was good at Hearts, if he was a Billy big baws, if he trained hard. But he’s turned it around for himself and good luck to him. 

[A_A wehatethehibs]

8 minutes ago, briever said:

How exactly has Irving done enough to get a call up?  A few off the bench games.

 

This says more about Clarke, the guy is clueless.

 

With McGinn out, I think Irving is probably the only left footed Scottish CM around at any sort of level? 

[hmfc_liam06]

Some cracking revisionism from both sides going on here.

[RustyRightPeg]

5 minutes ago, A_A wehatethehibs said:

 

With McGinn out, I think Irving is probably the only left footed Scottish CM around at any sort of level? 

Unsure why we’d need one tbf. 
 

Lennon Miller has done 10x more than Irving has to get called up. 

[Super_Hans]

9 minutes ago, A_A wehatethehibs said:

 

With McGinn out, I think Irving is probably the only left footed Scottish CM around at any sort of level? 

Luke McCowan is left footed I think. In fact, I'm shocked he's not in the squad after just signing for Celtic.

[jambo_74]

5 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

Unsure why we’d need one tbf. 
 

Lennon Miller has done 10x more than Irving has to get called up. 

Finished fourth in the Austrian top division, scored nine goals in twenty-eight outings. I'd say that is at least comparable to playing for Motherwell, no?

[A_A wehatethehibs]

3 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

Unsure why we’d need one tbf. 
 

Lennon Miller has done 10x more than Irving has to get called up. 

You’re unsure why a football manager would want a left sided midfielder with a wand of a left foot as a tactical option? 

Also… Has he? Irving has scored 15 goals in 60 games in Austrian top league, and during that, he got himself bought for £1.5m by a premier league club... Not clear to me how Miller has done “10x more” than that.

[Luckies1874]

6 minutes ago, Super_Hans said:

Luke McCowan is left footed I think. In fact, I'm shocked he's not in the squad after just signing for Celtic.

 

Neither Barron or McCowan in the squad! If they are picked people greet that it's only because of their moves and if they aren't picked people greet about who has been picked ahead of them! Hilarious stuff. 

 

3 minutes ago, jambo_74 said:

Finished fourth in the Austrian top division, scored nine goals in twenty-eight outings. I'd say that is at least comparable to playing for Motherwell, no?

 

Don't let the actual facts get in the way mate!

[A_A wehatethehibs]

7 minutes ago, Super_Hans said:

Luke McCowan is left footed I think. In fact, I'm shocked he's not in the squad after just signing for Celtic.

Fair shout probably a toss up between the 2 for a call up. Must be something he prefers about Irving profile 

[RustyRightPeg]

7 minutes ago, jambo_74 said:

Finished fourth in the Austrian top division, scored nine goals in twenty-eight outings. I'd say that is at least comparable to playing for Motherwell, no?

 

Last season. He’s played less than 45 minutes of football this season 😂 

[jack D and coke]

On 26/09/2024 at 07:13, Dazo said:

They also said he would never kick a ball for West Ham. 

Just been reading right through this thread. 
Hasn’t aged well for some posters  

[RustyRightPeg]

15 minutes ago, Luckies1874 said:

 

Don't let the actual facts get in the way mate!

Facts? Facts are he’s played less than a half of football this season and that’s apparently worthy of a call up? Forgive me, I thought international call ups were on merit, not reputation? I could be wrong like. 
 

Don’t get me wrong, Irving’s career path excites me greatly, but I don’t know what he’s done this season to be in the reckoning…

[Luckies1874]

1 minute ago, RustyRightPeg said:

Facts? Facts are he’s played less than a half of football this season and that’s apparently worthy of a call up? Forgive me, I thought international call ups were on merit, not reputation? I could be wrong like. 
 

Don’t get me wrong, Irving’s career path excites me greatly, but I don’t know what he’s done this season to be in the reckoning…

 

His performance over a decent period of time has warranted them watching him. We have numerous injuries and specifically in his position we are very short. It's doubtful he will get any game time but will have the opportunity to be part of the squad, as will others who probably won't play. Surely it's a good thing to give that chance to some up and coming players?! And this is the thing, which isn't aimed at you by the way, it's really laughable how many people moan that this guy or that guy not getting a chance and then also moan when players are brought in! The manager simply can't win!

 

At a time where we have probably 7 players who would be in our top 15 or 16 out injured plus a key player retired the squad looks very different and yet still people complain about new arrivals. Also funny is the tired notion that Old Firm players are picked automatically! There aren't many Scots playing for them these days anyway but all of Barron, Kelly and McCowan have been overlooked which makes a mockery that Clarke, specifically, is bothered in the slightest about appeasing them.

[A_A wehatethehibs]

18 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

Facts? Facts are he’s played less than a half of football this season and that’s apparently worthy of a call up? Forgive me, I thought international call ups were on merit, not reputation? I could be wrong like. 
 

Don’t get me wrong, Irving’s career path excites me greatly, but I don’t know what he’s done this season to be in the reckoning…

There’s a bigger picture than just the last few games mate. The manager has access to a lot of information and will likely have been watching the player for months if not years. There’s a reason West Ham bought him and there’s a reason he’s got a call up. He’s grown into a very good player. Is he Premier League good? jury’s still out. But he is good…

 

Clarke will probably now seek to do anything possible to help Irving now get into the West Ham team. That might even be one of Clarkes objectives with this call up, can I help this player step up a level? Can I help him get into the Premier League team, now, this season? So don’t be surprised if he starts Irving alongside Gilmour and Mctominay, and will hope he can make him look as good as possible, sharpen him up, he will hope he can get the West Ham manager to start picking him. This call up has been a possibility since the minute West Ham bought him 

[WestHamJambo]

The talk at the time was the deal for Irving was a way for West Ham to pay the Austrian side a fee to become a “feeder club”. They announced the club link, but there was no mention of Irving signing for us.
 

He was told he could go on loan this season, but instead decided to knuckle down and try and get into the side. Had a very decent pre-season and has played well in a couple bounce games (I think he scored three against Dagenham & Redbridge in about 45 minutes a couple weeks back). 

In his cameo appearances in the league and cup, he’s looked capable. Not misplaced a pass, and has had all his shots on target. Given how bloody awful we’ve been so far this season, and talk of changing room bust ups, I think there is a good enough chance for him to start getting a lot more football under his belt. It’s a shame we’re not in Europe this season, as previously we’ve done well at utilising the squad. 
 

His name was sung in the away end on Saturday, football is an absolute cesspit nowadays, but this is a very feel good story, and I hope he can make the breakthrough properly. I very much doubt on leaving Hearts he thought he’d have been playing in the EPL and getting called up for Scotland. 
 

Good luck for the rest of the season!

[Bairnjambo]

10 minutes ago, WestHamJambo said:

The talk at the time was the deal for Irving was a way for West Ham to pay the Austrian side a fee to become a “feeder club”. They announced the club link, but there was no mention of Irving signing for us.
 

He was told he could go on loan this season, but instead decided to knuckle down and try and get into the side. Had a very decent pre-season and has played well in a couple bounce games (I think he scored three against Dagenham & Redbridge in about 45 minutes a couple weeks back). 

In his cameo appearances in the league and cup, he’s looked capable. Not misplaced a pass, and has had all his shots on target. Given how bloody awful we’ve been so far this season, and talk of changing room bust ups, I think there is a good enough chance for him to start getting a lot more football under his belt. It’s a shame we’re not in Europe this season, as previously we’ve done well at utilising the squad. 
 

His name was sung in the away end on Saturday, football is an absolute cesspit nowadays, but this is a very feel good story, and I hope he can make the breakthrough properly. I very much doubt on leaving Hearts he thought he’d have been playing in the EPL and getting called up for Scotland. 
 

Good luck for the rest of the season!

Enjoying your positivity about Irving. Like many Hearts fans, I was nonplussed when he left. But fair play to him.

 

Hope things can improve for both Hearts and West Ham as the season progresses. 

[Absolute Scenes]

2 hours ago, briever said:

How exactly has Irving done enough to get a call up?  A few off the bench games.

 

This says more about Clarke, the guy is clueless.

More and more, Clarke is showing how utterly clueless he is. Two of the most embarrassing European competitions back to back Scotland have had; he is not a good manager. 

[mr fox]

Stendel loved him 

[tiger Rudi]

I think the fact he's been capped at u17, u19 and u21 level shows it's not such a strange decision by Clarke. He's obviously been aware of him for some time. Good luck to the laddie if he gets some minutes. As I've said before, he's shown some character to get where he's got. All well deserved. 

[Rudi5kaceldream1ng]

Delighted for the lad. 

 

I could always see technically he was superb, he lacks a bit of pace however he's likely developed his game since hearts. 

[Rudi5kaceldream1ng]

7 hours ago, Absolute Scenes said:

More and more, Clarke is showing how utterly clueless he is. Two of the most embarrassing European competitions back to back Scotland have had; he is not a good manager. 

If you know your history of Scotland at major tournaments you'd know that's not quite true pal...

 

How about scotland turning up for the world cup in 78 to a building site of a hotel with an "air swimming pool"??

 

A hotel that was hand picked in person by ally macleod a few months prior lmfao.

 

You couldn't make up the incompetence. 

 

Also every single scotland manager in Scottish football history has failed at a major tournament. Even sir Alex. 

 

You could maybe say ormond in 74 was the most successful. Still didn't get out of the group to the then second group stage. 

 

[spacerjoe]

17 hours ago, RustyRightPeg said:

Facts? Facts are he’s played less than a half of football this season and that’s apparently worthy of a call up? Forgive me, I thought international call ups were on merit, not reputation? I could be wrong like. 
 

Don’t get me wrong, Irving’s career path excites me greatly, but I don’t know what he’s done this season to be in the reckoning…

About 45 mins of football over an entire season was enough for Billy Gilmour to get picked and end up being our best player at Euro 2020.

 

He'll have seen enough of him to think it's worthwhile bringing him into the squad to at least see how he integrates, even if not to play at this stage.

[4marsbars]

19 hours ago, Shanks said:

Delighted for him.  Was written off by many and he’s now getting game time in the Prem and Scotland call up. 

 

The many who wrote him off included quite a few kickbackers who wanted something more full-blooded than his calm demeanour, vision, perfectly-weighted defence-splitting passes, and well-struck shots.

[RobboM]

Just come on as a sub 83rd minute at Newcastle
NUFC 0-2 W Ham

[Hungry hippo]

2 minutes ago, RobboM said:

Just come on as a sub 83rd minute at Newcastle
NUFC 0-2 W Ham

First time he's been on the pitch for West Ham when they haven't already conceded 3 goals.

[jr ewing]

All passes backwards. Now I remember. 

[The Treasurer]

10 hours ago, RobboM said:

Just come on as a sub 83rd minute at Newcastle
NUFC 0-2 W Ham

Had a few good touches and didn't look out of his depth in a very good West Ham performance 

[RustyRightPeg]

10 hours ago, jr ewing said:

All passes backwards. Now I remember. 

Lol what a whopper eh 

[Gmcjambo]

17 minutes ago, The Treasurer said:

Had a few good touches and didn't look out of his depth in a very good West Ham performance 

Hi fitted right in to be fair,  don't think he lost the ball once and moved well around the park.   That's quite something as the standard of football in all positions is so high and West Ham were playing very well.   Fair play to him!

[Craig_]

11 hours ago, jr ewing said:

All passes backwards. Now I remember. 

 

Would be a good replacement for Calum MacGregor in that case!

[OBE]

13 hours ago, jr ewing said:

All passes backwards. Now I remember. 

 

Thankfully, now been coached oot all that shite......exeptional progress from the lad.

[4marsbars]

14 hours ago, jr ewing said:

All passes backwards. Now I remember. 

Not sure what you remember or what it has to do with Andy Irving.

[Paris 84]

15 hours ago, jr ewing said:

All passes backwards. Now I remember. 

Your memory is playing tricks on you. The manager at the time was Andy Irving’s issue, not his ability and certainly not his passing. Neilson wants sitters and only sitters in the centre. Except for Barry McKay and Garang Kuyol obviously. 

Edited November 26, 2024 by Paris 84

[Bongo 1874]

Watching him last night despite the result upsetting me,felt very proud seeing Andy come on last night 😁.

 

Well done Lad,****all the haters who said it couldn't be done 👏  

[Dallas Green]

Crazy some thought he wasn't good enough for us.

[Gavman81]

Savage thought he wasn’t worth more then £900 a week too and then you see him making meaningful contributions in an away victory for West Ham away to Newcastle last night and think….

 

Savage was very good for us at times and did a good job but I’m pretty sure from listening to his OG interview that some of his procrastination over signings/windows and perceived “value” for money would have caused issues at time.

 

Anyway, nice to see Irving doing as well as he is 👏

[OTT]

32 minutes ago, Gavman81 said:

Savage thought he wasn’t worth more then £900 a week too and then you see him making meaningful contributions in an away victory for West Ham away to Newcastle last night and think….

 

Savage was very good for us at times and did a good job but I’m pretty sure from listening to his OG interview that some of his procrastination over signings/windows and perceived “value” for money would have caused issues at time.

 

Anyway, nice to see Irving doing as well as he is 👏

 

Pleased to see him doing well, although Savage has been quick to highlight in the past how Robbie was very much in control of first team affairs 

 

I don't think this falls purely on Savage. If Robbie wanted him, we'd have found a way to keep him IMO. 

 

Have you heard different? (i've heard the £900 too, and my impression was that we kind of lowballed him because Robbie wasn't fussed on him & his youth. 

 

FWIW I think we need to move away from this idea of young players needing to put in time to earn a better contract. If they're good enough to keep senior players out the team, then they're good enough to earn first team wages. I would bet vital organs that McKenna at Aberdeen was on very good wages prior to making his move. If youngsters feel like we're lowballing them because of age, we're never going to get any loyalty from them at all. 

[A_A wehatethehibs]

We should try and get him on loan 2nd half of the season, 36 minutes of football all season isn’t great, lad needs games!  

 

Could be playing Europa Conference knockout football too, something his club is familiar with ! 🏆 
 

He has a pretty forgettable record as a Hearts player… 2 managers sacked, 1 demotion, then a lacklustre championship season. So maybe it would appeal to Andy to come and put that right. We are a club in desperate need of a new star now that shanklands has faded, even for 6 months Andy could come and be an Ellis Simms type signing for us.
 

Unlikely but I’d certainly take him as his record in Austria was really good for 2 seasons 
 

 

Edited November 26, 2024 by A_A wehatethehibs

[bobby bombscare]

37 minutes ago, OTT said:

 

Pleased to see him doing well, although Savage has been quick to highlight in the past how Robbie was very much in control of first team affairs 

 

I don't think this falls purely on Savage. If Robbie wanted him, we'd have found a way to keep him IMO. 

 

Have you heard different? (i've heard the £900 too, and my impression was that we kind of lowballed him because Robbie wasn't fussed on him & his youth. 

 

FWIW I think we need to move away from this idea of young players needing to put in time to earn a better contract. If they're good enough to keep senior players out the team, then they're good enough to earn first team wages. I would bet vital organs that McKenna at Aberdeen was on very good wages prior to making his move. If youngsters feel like we're lowballing them because of age, we're never going to get any loyalty from them at all. 

This all over. This isn't just in football, I see it with apprentices and graduates. Companies get them in, they show their talents and show that they're just as capable (sometimes more capable) than the older heads but they get lowballed on wages because they're young. 

 

Then they look elsewhere, get offered 10 grand more and management get upset because they feel like they 'owe them' for the opportunity.. simple fact of the matter is, people are paid for the value they bring. If you don't feel like paying it, that's fine, someone else will! 

 

Yes the company (or club) took a risk on you but they get the benefit of a year or 2 of cheap labour. Once that's done, pay them their worth. 

Edited November 26, 2024 by bobby bombscare

[Hans Eskilsson]

4 hours ago, Dallas Green said:

Crazy some thought he wasn't good enough for us.

I was unsure about him. I think he's done exceptionally well after leaving us and long may it continue. 

Let's not pretend that folk were massively upset when he left though, nobody seen him playing at the level he is now for example.