You know you’re making an impact at your club when your team’s most vocal, witty and whimsical followers dream up a ditty especially for you.
And pony-tailed Irvine, who heads into camp with the Socceroos on Sunday for the friendlies against Norway and Colombia, has been all ears.
To the melody of the Neill Diamond’s enduring ‘60s classic Sweet Caroline, Tigers supporters have changed the chorus from “Sweet Caroline ... good times never seemed so good” to an eerily catchy “Jackson Irvine ... long hair never looked so good.”
Supporters can be heard bellowing out the Irvine tribute home and away, and the long-locked 25-year-old, who has sported his mane since joining Ross County on loan from Celtic four seasons ago, is revelling in the soundtrack.
“The first time I heard it was back in January in the FA Cup at Blackburn,” said the Tigers’ very own divine ponytail.
“It’s really caught on and I get it quite a bit.
“It’s great ... it’s one of the best songs I’ve had since I’ve been playing. Hopefully, I can give them a reason to keep singing it.
“It flows perfectly doesn’t it ... the fans have been excellent with me since I came (from Burton Albion pre-season).
“I think they’ve really responded to the way I approach the game with my work ethic, and wearing my heart on my sleeve a little bit.
“It’s great to hear them singing your name.”
Irvine says it’s taken him so long to grow his flaxen locks that he’d reluctant to get them chopped any time soon.
“I wasn’t planning on it, and now I definitely can’t now if it’s going to ruin the song,” he quipped.
“It’s become a bit of my trademark.”
With a goal an assist going into the overnight trip to third last Birmingham City, Irvine has helped Hull climb nine points clear of the drop zone.
And he’s pleased with his form as he presses for match time against Norway next Saturday (ADT), whose midfielder Markus Henriksen plays alongside him at Hull.
“Personally, I’ve played just about every game since coming here, that’s about 34 now, with maybe three or four on the bench when I first arrived,” he added.
“I feel like I’m improving and I’m definitively around higher standard players here.
“I’ve played a few roles and I’m happy with the way things have gone.”
Irvine voiced excitement at being named by Bert van Marwijk in his 26-man squad and is expecting a new style from the Dutchman.
“I think we’ll probably go from four midfielders to three and that’s a spot for someone to lose, so it’s going to be super competitive because we know how strong the midfield area is,” he said.
“I’ve read a lot of the new manager’s comments and he’s very keen to get to know the players quickly.
“Every day is so vital now heading towards the World Cup, and we have to squeeze everything we can from every moment we have together.
“Obviously the fact the coach led Holland to the 2010 World Cup final shows his pedigree, and he’ll need every ounce of it to take us through the tournament.
“He clearly knows what it takes in a tournament situation and how to get the most out of his squad.”
