Darren Randolph is dreaming of qualifying for France 2016
On Friday evening, Darren Randolph's Republic of Ireland play Bosnia in their European Championship Qualifying Play-Off first leg, before the return leg in Dublin on Monday 16 November.
As the shot-stopper prepares for what is set to be one of the biggest night's of his career, we caught up with the Irishman to discuss beating the world champions Germany, that famous win over Liverpool and how his patience has been rewarded...
Darren, you’ve had to be patient in terms of making your international debut, you must be delighted now?
DR: “Of course, playing for your country is a massive honour. I think since moving to West Ham people have taken more notice of me. I’m on a bigger platform then I was before, this is the biggest club I’ve played for. People might say I haven’t played as much as I would’ve done if I’d stayed at Birmingham, but when I have played I think I have done well. Training with world class players everyday is obviously going to keep you sharp."
Like you said, you had to wait a while and be patient for your opportunity, so what was it like, when it did come. Shay Given got injured and you were called on?
DR: “After about half an hour he said to the bench that he was struggling, me and Fordey (David Forde) immediately ran off the bench and went down the tunnel to warm up. Going through our preparations and one of the coaching staff ran in and said ‘Daz, you’re going on’. Literally I tore off my training gear and put on my kit, at that point Shay was already on the stretcher. I had to run onto to pitch, shook his hand and that was it, I didn’t really have time to think.”
You’re the man in possession of the jersey at the moment, the play off games against Bosnia are going to be a huge moment for you?
DR: “I don’t know if I’ve got the jersey, that’s still down to the manager! It would be good, I’d love to be starting. Whatever happens, it’ll be good to be part of the squad and training with the boys. The whole atmosphere and the build up to the game, and thinking about what could be is special and very exciting.”
If it’s possible to compare the two, how does your first Premier League win, a 3-0 away at Liverpool compare with the game against Germany? Not only a win, but also an assist!
DR: “They’re both up there as two of my career highlights. Playing at Anfield, it’s one of the most iconic grounds in football, and then to get a win in the way we did was fantastic. Then the Germany game was fantastic for obvious reasons. Playing in my hometown, beating the world champions, getting the victory that helped to set the play offs up, it’s up there definitely!”
As the shot-stopper prepares for what is set to be one of the biggest night's of his career, we caught up with the Irishman to discuss beating the world champions Germany, that famous win over Liverpool and how his patience has been rewarded...
Darren, you’ve had to be patient in terms of making your international debut, you must be delighted now?
DR: “Of course, playing for your country is a massive honour. I think since moving to West Ham people have taken more notice of me. I’m on a bigger platform then I was before, this is the biggest club I’ve played for. People might say I haven’t played as much as I would’ve done if I’d stayed at Birmingham, but when I have played I think I have done well. Training with world class players everyday is obviously going to keep you sharp."
Like you said, you had to wait a while and be patient for your opportunity, so what was it like, when it did come. Shay Given got injured and you were called on?
DR: “After about half an hour he said to the bench that he was struggling, me and Fordey (David Forde) immediately ran off the bench and went down the tunnel to warm up. Going through our preparations and one of the coaching staff ran in and said ‘Daz, you’re going on’. Literally I tore off my training gear and put on my kit, at that point Shay was already on the stretcher. I had to run onto to pitch, shook his hand and that was it, I didn’t really have time to think.”
You’re the man in possession of the jersey at the moment, the play off games against Bosnia are going to be a huge moment for you?
DR: “I don’t know if I’ve got the jersey, that’s still down to the manager! It would be good, I’d love to be starting. Whatever happens, it’ll be good to be part of the squad and training with the boys. The whole atmosphere and the build up to the game, and thinking about what could be is special and very exciting.”
If it’s possible to compare the two, how does your first Premier League win, a 3-0 away at Liverpool compare with the game against Germany? Not only a win, but also an assist!
DR: “They’re both up there as two of my career highlights. Playing at Anfield, it’s one of the most iconic grounds in football, and then to get a win in the way we did was fantastic. Then the Germany game was fantastic for obvious reasons. Playing in my hometown, beating the world champions, getting the victory that helped to set the play offs up, it’s up there definitely!”
What would qualifying for France 2016 mean for you?
“It’s a cliché but it would be a dream come through. I’m sure every kid who is out there playing football, pretends they’re playing to the World Cup finals and the European cup finals. They dream of being those players who have scored at that level – Robbie Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. I was no different growing up, so to be that much closer to a major tournament, it’s a very surreal thought.
“Obviously you don’t try and think about it too much but there has been a couple of times when I’ve been driving about or sat at home and it does hit you – ‘Is this really happening?’”
In the last two games, you’ve played against the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller, two of the best in Europe, when you’re playing against them, are you able to take in how good they are?
“When you play against them you see little touches and flashes of what they can do, bits of movement. It’s very different to watching them on TV when you think ‘they’ve got loads of time and space there’, but when you’re on the pitch you realise how quick and how good they really are.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s game with Bosnia, a tough game, but how are you feeling about it?
“At this stage, every team will be tough, we have to expect that and be prepared. Saying that, we deserve to be where we are, and we’re confident in our ability. We’ve beaten Germany recently so we don’t fear anyone.
“We’ll work hard, as we always do and give the best account of ourselves. Over two games, we definitely have what it takes to beat Bosnia but we know it’ll be a tough challenge, there’s no doubt about that. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
The first leg, on Friday, is away. Do you see that as an advantage, playing the second leg at home?
“Yes, it’s a small advantage I guess. I’ve been speaking to Edin (Terzic, first team coach), whose father is Bosnian; he was telling me just how passionate the fans are there. That’s certainly a factor we’ll have to come to terms with, and deal with it on the night.
“I’m confident that if we play to our capability we will qualify for the Euros.”
“It’s a cliché but it would be a dream come through. I’m sure every kid who is out there playing football, pretends they’re playing to the World Cup finals and the European cup finals. They dream of being those players who have scored at that level – Robbie Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. I was no different growing up, so to be that much closer to a major tournament, it’s a very surreal thought.
“Obviously you don’t try and think about it too much but there has been a couple of times when I’ve been driving about or sat at home and it does hit you – ‘Is this really happening?’”
In the last two games, you’ve played against the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller, two of the best in Europe, when you’re playing against them, are you able to take in how good they are?
“When you play against them you see little touches and flashes of what they can do, bits of movement. It’s very different to watching them on TV when you think ‘they’ve got loads of time and space there’, but when you’re on the pitch you realise how quick and how good they really are.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s game with Bosnia, a tough game, but how are you feeling about it?
“At this stage, every team will be tough, we have to expect that and be prepared. Saying that, we deserve to be where we are, and we’re confident in our ability. We’ve beaten Germany recently so we don’t fear anyone.
“We’ll work hard, as we always do and give the best account of ourselves. Over two games, we definitely have what it takes to beat Bosnia but we know it’ll be a tough challenge, there’s no doubt about that. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
The first leg, on Friday, is away. Do you see that as an advantage, playing the second leg at home?
“Yes, it’s a small advantage I guess. I’ve been speaking to Edin (Terzic, first team coach), whose father is Bosnian; he was telling me just how passionate the fans are there. That’s certainly a factor we’ll have to come to terms with, and deal with it on the night.
“I’m confident that if we play to our capability we will qualify for the Euros.”