Andy Irving was all smiles after firing West Ham United to a 1-0 pre-season victory at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Scottish midfielder’s superbly-struck second-half strike was the difference maker at Chigwell Construction Stadium, where the Irons were given a welcome test by their National League neighbours as they prepare for the 2024/25 campaign.
Irving has become something of a cult hero after impressing on his first appearance in a West Ham shirt in last Monday’s draw with Ferencváros in Austria, and the 24-year-old’s reputation will surely only grow after his 20-yard shot flew past Dagenham goalkeeper Elliot Justham.
As for Irving himself, he is just concentrating on working hard, impressing his new coaching staff, getting to know his new teammates and making the most of his opportunity to train and play for the Hammers.
“I’m absolutely delighted!” he beamed, speaking to West Ham TV. “Obviously, when you’re in, it’s good to get things like goals out of the way and I’m delighted to have scored today.
“It was a nice goal, I need to see it back! Prowsey laid me off perfectly so I’ve got to thank him for the assist. I’m over the moon!”
Irving came through the Academy ranks at Scottish club Heart of Midlothian in his native Edinburgh before playing overseas in Germany and Austria in the previous three seasons. He returned to Britain this summer and has, by all accounts, made a positive impact during the first three weeks of pre-season training.
“Since I’ve come in, it’s been absolutely brilliant!” he smiled. “The guys and the staff have made me so welcome and they’ve been so friendly every morning on the training ground and all that. It’s been a really nice few weeks and long may it continue.
“I’m just trying to enjoy it. I see this as a massive opportunity to be at a Club like West Ham. To be involved like this is brilliant and I’m loving it.”
Irving himself is not a user of social media, but his friends and family have been sharing clips and messages of support from fans, and will no doubt be sharing more following his outstanding match-winner.
“To be honest, I try not to pay too much attention to it as I’m not on Twitter and all that, but obviously I get sent some stuff and it makes me laugh, so it’s great and I want to keep enjoying it,” he continued.
There is a more serious side to things, of course, and that is a professional footballer wanting to show his Head Coach he has the quality to be part of his Premier League squad.
“The main aim for me [is to keep impressing],” said the No29. “As I said, this is a huge opportunity for me I’m trying to grab with both hands. I’m getting massive experience learning from the gaffer and from the quality of player we have here.”
Irving will be part of the travelling party which flies to Florida for the 16-day, two-match Sunshine State Tour on Sunday and, as someone who has never been to the United States, he cannot wait to get there and down to work in testing conditions.
“Some of the boys have spoken about the heat and humidly we’re expecting and I’ve never been to America, so it’s exciting and it’ll be tough for a Scottish guy, but we’ll get through it!” he smiled. “I’ll keep working these next few weeks and see where it takes me.”
