Here We Go: Celtic Stun West Ham with Blockbuster Move for Departing Superstar – Hoops Fans Ecstatic as Hammers Left Reeling

The summer transfer window is about to open, and Celtic fans are buzzing with excitement following mounting speculation that former West Ham United striker Danny Ings could be on his way to Parkhead. As Brendan Rodgers prepares for what could be a pivotal transfer window, the focus is firmly on bolstering the club’s attacking options and a familiar name has surged to the top of the wishlist.

Ings, 32, is set to leave West Ham on a free transfer at the end of June. Despite a challenging stint in East London, the former Liverpool, Southampton, and Aston Villa forward still boasts the pedigree and goal-scoring instincts that could prove invaluable to a side like Celtic particularly in the wake of Kyogo Furuhashi’s unexpected mid-season departure.

It was a January to forget for many Celtic fans. While the club remained competitive on multiple fronts, the shock sale of talismanic striker Furuhashi to Ligue 1 outfit Rennes for a reported £10 million left a void that was never adequately filled. Supporters were left frustrated by the club’s failure to secure a proper replacement before the window closed, and while Rodgers managed to steady the ship, the glaring need for a new frontman was evident.

Enter Frank McAvennie.

The former Celtic and West Ham hero has added fuel to the fire by throwing his full support behind a potential deal for Danny Ings. McAvennie, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, has been vocal in his admiration for the English striker, insisting that Ings would be a “great” addition to Rodgers’ squad.

“I’ve seen a lot of Danny Ings over the years and he’s still got it,” McAvennie told local media. “He’s a natural finisher, works hard off the ball, and brings experience to the front line. With Kyogo gone, we need someone who can lead the line and score goals. Ings fits the bill perfectly.”

Celtic’s need for a proven striker is more pressing than ever. Although players like Oh Hyeon-gyu and Daizen Maeda have had moments of brilliance, neither has consistently demonstrated the kind of clinical finishing that defined Furuhashi’s tenure. Rodgers knows that any aspirations of competing in Europe and dominating domestically hinge on having a reliable striker who can turn tight matches in Celtic’s favour.

Danny Ings, despite an injury plagued spell at West Ham, could offer exactly that. His experience in the Premier League, coupled with his intelligent movement and goal-scoring instincts, make him a tantalising option for Celtic. More importantly, his availability on a free transfer presents a financially savvy opportunity in an increasingly inflated market.

While questions linger about Ings’ ability to maintain fitness over the course of a demanding campaign, many believe the Scottish Premiership would suit him well. The pace of the game, slightly less intense than the English top flight, could help prolong his career and allow him to shine in the latter stages. Moreover, the chance to play in European competition and in front of the passionate Celtic Park faithful could reignite the fire in his belly.

For Brendan Rodgers, who is looking to stamp his authority on this Celtic side following his return to the club, bringing in a striker of Ings’ calibre would be a statement of intent. It would also help to mend the strained relationship with sections of the support who were left disillusioned by the club’s January dealings.

Celtic’s board will now weigh up the logistics of the deal. Wage demands, fitness records, and squad dynamics will all come into play but with the backing of a Parkhead legend like McAvennie and growing fan support, the momentum behind this potential move is hard to ignore.

West Ham, for their part, appear ready to move on. Ings never fully integrated into David Moyes’ plans, and with Julen Lopetegui now at the helm in East London, a squad reshuffle is underway. The Hammers will be more focused on bringing in fresh blood rather than clinging to underutilized veterans.

Should the move materialise, it would be a notable coup for Celtic snatching a proven English striker from Premier League clutches, and potentially setting themselves up for a formidable 2025/26 campaign. For Ings, it could be the fresh start he needs to remind everyone just how lethal he can be.

And for Hoops fans? It just might be the piece of the puzzle they’ve been waiting for.