Darrren Randolph has shone in the Championship with Boro this season and continued his fine form for the Republic of Ireland.
If Darren Randolph performs for Middlesbrough during the remainder of the Championship season like he did for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night, Tony Pulis can start stocking up on champagne already.
The experienced goalkeeper was in inspired form in the low-key friendly clash between the two Irish nations in midweek, somehow salvaging a goalless draw for Martin O’Neill’s side against Michael O’Neill’s frustrated Northern Ireland in Dublin.
Randolph made a number of hugely important stops, particularly to deny Oxford United forward Gavin Whyte, in a supreme individual performance that, in the eyes of most ROI fans, saved their nation’s blushes against their neighbours from the north.
And this display will come as no surprise to Middlesbrough fans who have watched Randolph produce a never-ending series of reflex saves since his £5 million move from West Ham United in the summer of 2017 (BBC).
The 31-year-old has started every one of Boro’s 17 Championship games this season and conceded just eight goals – making him statistically the best ‘keeper in the second tier as things stand.
Pulis’ side are built upon a solid defence and Randolph could, almost literally, hold their promotion hopes in the palm of his hands.
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