DARREN RANDOLPH SAYS that the recent gunpoint robbery of team-mate Andy Carroll has shaken up a few of the West Ham players.
Carroll was ambushed in his car by two motorcyclists last Wednesday and Randolph said that the incident was scary given the fact that it was a team-mate. However, despite believing that players are targeted by criminals, he added that it wasn’t an issue that they could get too worried about.
“Yes, considering he left first and a lot of us had to go the same way to get back home. Everyone stuck around for a little bit longer just in case,” Randolph told reporters. “It was obviously not nice for him and not nice to hear about anybody. Obviously when it strikes a bit closer to home, it is a little bit scary.
I think players do get targeted, but I don’t think it’s something that you wake up and think about every day. When it does happen, it does play on your mind for a few days.
“You just hope you’re not the unlucky one it happens to.”
While personal security is something that all Premier League footballers should be aware of Randolph is much more secure about his place in the Ireland squad.
The Irons goalkeeper has been Ireland’s first choice shot-stopper since breaking into the team after replacing Shay Given during last year’s historic 1-0 win over Germany in Dublin.
The win proved to be crucial in Ireland qualifying for Euro 2016 and Randolph is happy to reflect on what has been a very big year for him internationally.
“It’s been brilliant,” added the former Birmingham City goalkeeper. “A lot of highs — I have got the experience of the Euros, so I have come a very long way in just over a year.
We took a lot of confidence from the tournament and the performances and got off to a good start in this group, so another positive result on Saturday (against Austria), hopefully taking points from one of the teams that is going to be there or thereabouts, would help us.
“They are obviously going to be at home, so that’s going to make it that little bit tougher, but we have had some good results in the past travelling away against good teams, so we are positive going into the game.”
Ireland had a full squad at training on Tuesday morning in Abbotstown with John O’Shea and James McClean the only injury doubts for Saturday’s game in Vienna.
Both players have been listed as doubts for the qualifier but should be able to overcome their respective back and hamstring injuries before this weekend’s game.
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