Darren Randolph was delighted to win his third Irish cap in winning circumstances against Germany
Darren Randolph might not have expected to play a pivotal role in the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 victory over Germany on Thursday night - but he made sure he relished it.
The Hammers stopper was named on the bench for the Aviva Stadium meeting with Joachim Low's World Cup winners, but entered the fray a minute before the break after Shay Given suffered a groin injury.
Randolph provided the assist for Shane Long's 70th minute winner - a goal that keeps them in contention for automatic qualification for Euro 2016 - and he was thrilled his third cap came in such enjoyable circumstances.
"I wasn't expecting it. I was literally just told I was going on and ran from the changing room out to the side of the pitch. Before I knew it I was on there playing," he said.
"The atmosphere at the end was unbelievable. All I wanted was the ref to blow the whistle. It seemed like ten minutes instead of four added on.
"It was great to play. The result is one that's going to go down in the history books.
"A few of the boys said it in inside. It's brilliant to be part of it and it sets us up brilliantly for Sunday."
The Hammers stopper was named on the bench for the Aviva Stadium meeting with Joachim Low's World Cup winners, but entered the fray a minute before the break after Shay Given suffered a groin injury.
Randolph provided the assist for Shane Long's 70th minute winner - a goal that keeps them in contention for automatic qualification for Euro 2016 - and he was thrilled his third cap came in such enjoyable circumstances.
"I wasn't expecting it. I was literally just told I was going on and ran from the changing room out to the side of the pitch. Before I knew it I was on there playing," he said.
"The atmosphere at the end was unbelievable. All I wanted was the ref to blow the whistle. It seemed like ten minutes instead of four added on.
"It was great to play. The result is one that's going to go down in the history books.
"A few of the boys said it in inside. It's brilliant to be part of it and it sets us up brilliantly for Sunday."