Joey O'Brien tips Darren Randolph as first choice Premier League keeper

West Ham and Republic of Ireland defender Joey O’Brien has backed ‘laid-back’ goalkeeper Darren Randolph to become a first choice Premier League keeper after his performances for the Hammers and Ireland this season.

Randolph came off the bench to keep a clean sheet against Germany in Ireland’s historic victory over the world champions and impressed briefly for the Hammers this season, before returning to his role as understudy to Adrián.

The Bray-born stopper is set to start for Ireland tonight in the Euro 2016 play-off qualifier in Bosnia.

“You could see it when he came on in the Germany game, it was a difficult situation to come into but he did fantastically well,” said O’Brien.

“Obviously, I’m not quite sure what the mentality of a substitute goalkeeper is, it must be hard thinking you won’t really be needed. But to come on and to perform to the level that he did was outstanding.”

“He’s a very laid-back character but determined and hard-working, you can see it in training every day. His self-confidence is another important characteristic which you really need. He’s a quality goalkeeper and there’s no reason why he can’t become a first choice Premier League goalkeeper.”

Randolph has had to be patient at Upton Park but impressed O’Brien when he has deputised for the Spaniard.

“Earlier in the season he got an opportunity and had three games where he did very well. He was our best player against Bournemouth even though we got beat; it could have been a hockey score without him. Then to get a clean sheet away at Liverpool is equally impressive,” said the defender.

O’Brien’s own campaign has been interrupted after he picked up a calf injury in West Ham’s Europa League tie against Astra Giurgiu, but he remains hopeful of forcing a way back into Slaven Bilic’s and then Martin O’Neill’s Ireland plans.

“I’ll never turn my back on my country. Had I been playing regularly last season I think I would have had a good chance of getting into a few of the squads. Obviously, you have to be playing to give yourself that chance and show the manager what you can do.

“Listen, that’s football and we will see what happens.

“I’ve never retired, never will, I’m sure my legs will give out before my mind does, I’ll be available until the end.”

Although mindful of the threat posed by BiH, O’Brien believes having the second leg at home gives Ireland a fighting chance of making it to France.

“Looking at the draw and the possible teams we could have got, we might have got a slightly easier team,” he said.

“On the other side, you definitely wanted the away leg first. To have the second leg at home is a massive boost and an advantage, that’s a big plus.”

“Most of their players play in top leagues in Europe so we know they are strong and can’t afford to underestimate them,” he warned, before adding: “I fancy Ireland, with the second leg at the Aviva, it’ll be a great night and I’m sure the boys will get there.”

For now, O’Brien will concentrate on his form for West Ham while keeping one eye on a potential Ireland recall. He played for an hour yesterday in a behind closed doors friendly against Crystal Palace.

“I know I have to keep working hard and make sure I’m ready when the opportunities (at West Ham) do come. We’re doing really well at the moment, so I’ll have to be patient and we’ll see what happens.”

Joey O’Brien was speaking on behalf of Betway, official principal sponsor of West Ham United. Betway are an online sports betting operator, offering more than 30,000 markets, available live and in-play across a huge range of sports.