Scotland midfielder back on market for January move after Celtic summer bid

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The January transfer window is now just a month away.

Given how the last one went, strap yourselves in. Since the summer, we have seen Brendan Rodgers leave, Martin O’Neill replace him and Dermot Desmond’s son slate his own supporters at a chaotic AGM.

If Wilfried Nancy is to arrive as the permanent boss next week, his first task will be assessing what the squad needs ahead of the winter window.

Wessam Abou Ali and Diego Rossi have both been tipped to follow Nancy from Columbus Crew, while a few other targets have been reported on in the last month.

But Scotland and West Ham midfielder Andy Irving, who has been pursued multiple times by the Hoops, is reportedly back on the market.

Andy Irving could move after Celtic bid

Irving has had an unusual career, to say the least.

After breaking through at Hearts, he opted to move to the German third tier and then Austria, where he was involved in a bizarre transfer to West Ham.

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Despite never even being announced by the Hammers, he has become a bit-part player in the Premier League, earning a few call-ups for Steve Clarke’s Scotland side.

Celtic had a bid rejected for Irving in the summer, having also reportedly pursued a loan move the year before, before eventually signing Luke McCowan.

And now, according to Claret & Hugh, Wrexham are set to reignite their interest in the midfielder in January.

Irving has been handed two starts since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival at the London Stadium, but may be running out of patience with being used as a back-up – especially if he wants to make Scotland’s World Cup squad.

Given links to David Watson and Hossam Essadak, it seems that Celtic are in the market for a midfielder in the summer.

Given the depth that exists in that position within the Hoops’ squad, this is quite surprising.

But with Scotland-grown players of particular interest given UEFA squad registration rules, Irving could represent a reliable option.

Other Celtic transfer targets from the summer

Kasper Dolberg has finally scored his first goal for Ajax, after an unsuccessful pursuit of the striker by Celtic in the summer.

Jakob Breum could also be back in the market in January, if Celtic fancy opening that can of worms again. He was injured in Go Ahead Eagles’ upset win over Aston Villa.

Veljko Milosavljevic was scouted by Celtic earlier on in the summer, before eventually joining Bournemouth, where he has made four Premier League appearances.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Datro Fofana both moved to Turkey after last-minute pushes from Celtic on deadline day.