West Ham United's Scotland international midfielder Andy Irving takes on questions submitted by supporters, discussing his favourite squad number, favourite thing about living in London, his best mate in the Hammers' squad and what a first goal in a Claret and Blue shirt would mean to him...
What was the very first team you played for growing up, and what position did you play?
Tayler Wight
The first team would have been Musselburgh Windsor FC [who are based a few miles east of Edinburgh on the Firth of Forth], and I actually played as a striker or a left midfielder. I was a bit of a goal machine, actually, when I was a kid; I won't lie. I used to play a lot in my young days at seven-a-side as a striker.
Would you rather score a last-minute winner at London Stadium against Tottenham, or at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid, and why?
Theo Girgolas
Scoring against Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium in the 90th minute! I can imagine that would be a pretty incredible atmosphere.
What are your top three films of all time?
Sean Taylor
Blood Diamond, Oppenheimer and The Departed.
Is there a player you admired growing up, who you based your game on?
Olly Beard
I would say Lionel Messi, but I wouldn't say I idled my game on him; that would be pretty difficult!
I think in terms of midfielders, there are the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modrić, Andrés Iniesta and Andrea Pirlo.
I loved watching midfielders growing up, and their technical ability and the grace they had with the ball was just brilliant to watch.
You’ve worn a variety of squad numbers during your career - is there one that particularly means a lot to you?
Lucy Arnold
I would say number 41 because that was the number I made my debut with at Heart of Midlothian, so I would happily wear 41 again.
I like number 19 as well. I wore that in the [Scottish] Championship-winning season at Hearts and wore that for two years in Austria with SK Austria Klagenfurt as well.
What’s your favourite thing about living in London?
Doug Booth
I think I would have to say when I have my family and friends down and when I'm with my girlfriend, we like going out and trying new kinds of food. I have to say I enjoy doing that.
I like going to different parts of London that I've never been to and just strolling about and seeing different things and taking it all in.
What’s your favourite food or meal?
Chris Chadburn
I'm going to say steak pie with roast potatoes and cabbage.
Who’s your best mate in the squad?
Amy Farrell
I think it's hard to pick one. I would like to think I get on well with all the guys. I get on well with Dinos [Mavropanos], but there aren't any bad people, and everyone's pretty easy to get on with.
What’s the best holiday you’ve ever been on?
Adam Le Roux
My best holiday was summer 2021, just after the COVID-19 pandemic, when me and my girlfriend did a road trip in Scotland up to the Isle of Skye and down to Aviemore for five days, which was incredible.
And then right after that, me and my friends, we met up and went to a house on Loch Tay and stayed there for a few days, and that was a brilliant time.
If you were a manager, do you think you’d be a suit or tracksuit guy?
Richard Taylor
I'm not a suit guy, so I would definitely be in a tracksuit.
How much would it mean to you to score your first competitive goal for West Ham?
Ollie Bird
It would mean everything to me, and I think there’s every chance you’d see me running with my top off if I do score!
