Darren Randolph: Qualification race will go to the wire

On the road to Russia, where booby traps have to be dodged, a steady head like Darren Randolph admits Ireland have to be pleased with how they’ve negotiated the first half of the journey.

Serbia lead the Irish on goal difference but the leaders have to visit Dublin in September and the goalkeeper possesses a track record to be confident of repelling Dusan Tadic and his talented yet inconsistent group of attackers.

Friday’s shutout of Wales was the West Ham stopper’s third clean sheet from the opening five fixtures in World Cup Group D.