Having starred for his country at UEFA Euro 2016, Darren Randolph would love nothing more than to represent Republic of Ireland at next summer’s FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
Randolph produced a series of outstanding displays to help Ireland qualify via a Play-Off victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, qualify from a group that also included Italy, Sweden and Italy and push hosts France all the way in the Round of 16.
The Boys in Green have faced Mexico and Uruguay in friendly internationals since the Premier League season ended, but are now ready for their third, final and most important of three summer post-season matches – a World Cup European Group D qualifier with Austria at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Sunday 11 June.
Victory over the Austrians will put Randolph and company in a very strong position, with leaders Serbia hosting third place Wales in Belgrade on the same date.
It’s like any small group, if you can take points off the teams who are going to be the biggest threats to you to qualify, those wins are massive
Darren Randolph
Wins for Ireland and Serbia would put the pair seven points clear of their rivals on 14 points, with four rounds of matches left to play. The group winners qualify automatically, while the runners-up will go into a play-off. Republic of Ireland host Serbia in Dublin on 5 September.
“We can definitely finish in the top two,” Randolph continued. “It’s like any small group, if you can take points off the teams who are going to be the biggest threats to you to qualify, those wins are massive.
“In our group there is Serbia, Wales, Austria and ourselves who everyone else would have said would be up there to qualify – no disrespect to Georgia or Moldova – so if we manage to beat Austria, if won’t secure any qualification, but it makes it a bit easier.
“Our ultimate goal is to qualify for Russia next summer.”
The Boys in Green also famously reached the quarter-finals at Italia ’90, before West Ham Academy graduate Ray Houghton’s winner against Italy helped them reach the Round of 16 at USA ’96 – both under Jack Charlton.
Randolph has been part of O’Neil’s squad in each of the last two summers, sitting on the bench for the goalless friendly draw with England in June 2015, before keeping goal for his country at UEFA Euro 2016 a year ago.
In all, the 30-year-old Hammer has been capped 21 times since making his debut against Oman at Craven Cottage in September 2011.