An ex-Hearts player is establishing himself in the top division in England.Andy Irving is emerging as a cult hero at West Ham after being seranaded by supporters during his first English Premier League start.
After being surrounded by fans after his first appearance in the English Premier League, Andy Irving is becoming a cult hero at West Ham. Although the former Hearts midfielder has occasionally filled in as a substitute for the Hammers this season, new manager Graham Potter gave him his first opportunity in the starting lineup on Monday night against Chelsea.
Despite West Ham’s 2-1 defeat, Irving’s presence at Stamford Bridge has generated a lot of conversation, especially in light of the reaction he got from the away supporters.
Irving finally joined the Hammers for preseason last summer after an incredible season in the Austrian top flight, which included a 22-minute hat-trick against RB Salzburg.
After his hard work on the training field, he won his first start and currently has nine Premier League appearances under his belt.
“I think his training performances and his spirit and application have earned that start,” Potter, who took Julen Lopetegui’s position as West Ham’s head coach last month, said.
“We obviously had to adapt because Edson Álvarez’s injury came quite late. Andy’s decision was obvious, in my opinion, because he has excellent training, and I believe the group should be aware of it. I am happy with him.
During his 77 minutes on the field, Irving played more passes than all but one of his outfield West Ham teammates, proving his selection with an all-action performance. Irving said West Ham TV, “It’s an amazing feeling to have my first start in the Premier League with West Ham.
” To be honest, I think the squad put on a really strong show overall, but I’m unhappy that it didn’t go the way I would have liked it to by taking three points. “I think it’s been fantastic since the Head Coach took over. It’s always been incredibly good whenever he or the staff have talked to me, and I believe that’s the case with all of the players.
“I believe I’ve been training well, and every training day has been fantastic and incredibly fun. I’ve been putting in a lot of effort, and I’m happy to report that it’s currently paying off.” Although he was called up to Steve Clarke’s team for the Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal in October of last year, Irving, a former Scotland Under-21, has not yet been capped at the senior level.
He never played and was left off the roster for the next November camp, but if he keeps getting opportunities in the West Ham starting lineup, Clarke will find it difficult to overlook him when choosing his team for the March Nations League play-off match against Greece.
“I think I’ve had enough tasters of that so far this season to get a grasp of it, and I feel that I handled it pretty well for 75 minutes just before I went off as I had a little knock,” Irving continued.
“It definitely takes time to adapt [to the Premier League].” “To be honest, the amount of physical exertion and intensity required is insane, but I’m trying to adjust by working out three or four times a week with Cal (fitness coach Callum Foster).” I’m simply thrilled about the chance.
Irving grinned as he responded to the cheers he got from the West Ham supporters: “I could hear it! I didn’t realize it was about me right away. It’s fantastic, the assistance is excellent, and it undoubtedly helps the team and me. There at the conclusion, still in great thousands, you can see them cheering us on.
The fans were outstanding. Irving also disclosed that his girlfriend, Zoe, had shown confidence in his ability to succeed in the Premier League this season after he applied for and was hired as an east London teacher.
He said, “My partner decided to go for the interview at the end of May because there was a job opening at a school in Tower Hamlets, and I was all for it.” “The pressure was on during preseason, but she had a strong belief that I would be staying for this season. She is incredible. The way she has adapted to life in London and her career makes me incredibly proud of her!
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