One thing that Rangers has lacked this season alongside John Lundstram, is a midfielder who can be trusted to receive the ball off defenders and progress play forwards.
Ryan Jack’s recent injury suggests that his time in a Rangers shirt might be coming to an end and both Steven Davis and Scott Arfield showed against Ajax why they should no longer be considered as viable options for starting games.
What we need is someone who can fit the role in terms of flexibility between domestic and European football and who, ideally, helps with our UEFA quota.
Step forward Andy Irving.
likely a surprise to most but a recognisable name https://t.co/riqfk6kowq pic.twitter.com/scMaox76vD
— Patrick Caskie (@patrickcaskie) October 31, 2022
Former Hearts midfielder Irving left Scotland a couple of seasons ago to develop his game in Europe, feeling that the nature of football ins homeland didn’t suit how he wanted to play the game, now though, he is thriving in Austria’s top tier for Austria Klagenfurt.
He has six assists and three goals in 16 appearances, a decent return for a player who operates in a similar role to Lundstram, he also managed a goal or an assist every four games playing for Hearts as a teenager before moving overseas.
Standing at 1.90m tall (6ft 3inches give or take) Irving has the physical ability to match his technical efficiency and it would be neglect if we aren’t, at least, monitoring his progress.
My piece on Andy Irving (22), a Scottish deep-lying playmaker who plies his trade for Austria Klagenfurt. He should be on the radar of most mid-table Premier League teams as well as Championship teams seeking promotion. @FMAnalysis https://t.co/QJmLTL7XuQ
— Chaka Simbeye (@chaka_simbeye) October 31, 2022
A recent player analysis report suggested that he is primed for a move to a mid-table team in a top-flight league but that Rangers would also be a suitable destination – it’s a move that makes a lot of sense and Irving’s name is one that we could well be seeing a lot more of in the future.