Goalkeeper Darren Randolph is unlikely to reclaim the Ireland #1 jersey for based on current form, according to Dan McDonnell.
The West Ham stopper has only made 5 appearances for the East London club since rejoining from Middlesbrough in 2020.
Randolph was omitted from Stephen Kenny’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Portugal, Azerbaijan and Serbia.
Bohemians’ James Talbot has been called up to the squad in place of Bournemouth’s Mark Travers, while Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher and Gavin Bazunu of Portsmouth round off Kenny’s goalkeeping options.
McDonnell doubts that Randolph will make an appearance for Ireland during this international break, but believes that missing out this time around may prove beneficial in the long run.
Speaking on The Football Show on Monday, the Irish Independent football correspondent noted: “If Randolph is moving clubs and that can get done, it probably makes sense for him to spend the next week getting his feet on the ground there, rather than going away with Ireland and coming back for a few days’ training with a new club.”
“He had an interrupted pre-season - he had Covid - so I think he’s playing a bit of catch-up.”
“Of course, if it was absolutely urgent that Darren Randolph be there, I’m sure they would’ve been able to work out that stuff. Stephen Kenny has decided that he isn’t essential this time.”
McDonnell believes that the Ireland manager has made his intentions clear regarding his 1st and 2nd-choice goalkeepers.
“I do think the shirt is now in the possession of the younger goalkeepers.”
“I think Bazunu and Kelleher will be #1 and #2 while Kenny is in charge.
“I’m not sure if I envisage Randolph coming back into the squad and reclaiming the #1 spot - unless, of course, he goes somewhere and suddenly starts performing unbelievably well - but I think Kenny seems quite committed to the young keepers that he has.”
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