West Ham star Danny Ings opens up about ‘special opportunity’ of pre-season trip to Australia

The Premier League campaign may have only just ended, but Danny Ings is already looking forward to travelling to Australian for two pre-season friendlies. 

West Ham take on Perth Glory on July 15 and face Tottenham three days later and the Hammers striker is relishing the opportunity of playing in front of Aussie crowds.

‘It really gives us players perspective on how big the club is when you’ve got fans all around the world coming out to support you,’ Ings, who joined West Ham in January, told The West Australian. 

‘It just really makes the occasion more special, so we’re really looking forward to seeing all the fans out there for the games.’ 

Playing Down Under will not be a new experience for Ings, who travelled to Western Australia with Aston Villa in July last year. 

The Hammers face Perth Glory on July 15 and then take on Spurs three days later 

The 30-year-old was substituted at half-time as Villa drew 2-2 against Manchester United in their final tour game in Perth at a rain-sodden Optus Stadium.

‘Apart from that it was just a really good experience and it was actually a really good match as well, so it was a perfect way to sign off that trip,’ he said.

While the game against Glory is surely to draw the interest of A-League fans, the clash against Spurs is by far the higher profile fixtures of the two given the rivalry between the two clubs.

The Hammers drew 1-1 at home against Tottenham in August and lost 2-0 in the reverse fixture in February and Ings expects both teams to take the game in Perth extremely seriously.

‘Whenever you’re playing a derby team, whether it’s a friendly, a cup final, a league game, it’s always the same feel to it,’ he said.

‘You want to beat your rival at any cost and as players, we’ve been born and brought up with this competitiveness that is just within us, so every every derby is super important not just for us, but for the fans as well.’

West Ham ended their Premier League season with a 2-1 defeat away at Leicester on Sunday, which ultimately proved inconsequential as David Moyes’ men had already guaranteed themselves safety.

Leicester, meanwhile, were relegated along with Leeds and Southampton.

Ings (left) played in Perth last year when Aston Villa drew 2-2 against Manchester United

The Hammers will play in their first European final in 47 years next week against Fiorentina

For the Hammers, however, the season isn’t over yet as they have the small matter of a first European final in 47 years to deal with before they can turn their attention to their trip to Australia.

West Ham face Fiorentina in Budapest in the Europa Conference League final on June 7 and are one win away from lifting a trophy for the first time since 1980 and a first European silverware since 1965.

‘The atmosphere around the club is fantastic,’ Ings, who has scored 10 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions this season, said.

‘We all know how much this means to the fans and to be part of this moment and be preparing for a UEFA final is special. It’s massive.’