Darren Randolph not looking back in anger at West Ham exit

Even though the club made it clear that he would not be their Number One choice this season, prompting his decision to drop down a division to join Middlesbrough, Darren Randolph takes no pleasure in seeing his former employers West Ham propping up the Premier League with no points and eight goals conceded after three games.

“I was really happy there,” he points out. “It was tough to leave in that sense because I loved my time there. There are some great people at the club but, at the same time, I need to look after myself. I didn’t think they would have had the start that they’ve had but, if you look at it, it was always going to be tough when they’ve got no home games for the first month. The results haven’t gone their way so there’s obviously more pressure for the first home game against Huddersfield after the international break.”

In truth, of more interest now to Ireland’s goalkeeper is how Middlesbrough will fare in their effort to gain promotion from the Championship – and, for him, the knock-on benefits of being the man once again in possession of the shirt at his club as Ireland bid to reach Russia 2018.