It doesn’t take much to make him feel wanted.
Darren Randolph once recalled the biggest difference between Martin O’Neill, who has huge faith in him, and Giovanni Trapattoni, who could never be accused of the same thing.
“He doesn’t call me ‘keeper’. He calls me by my name. That’s the only difference.”
Goalkeepers may often be described as a different breed but they’re human, just like us. They want to feel needed.
That was what made Adrian tweet West Ham owner David Sullivan to remind him he still existed after all the ‘Joe Hart has joined the family’ fanfare.
That is what gave Darren Randolph the nudge he needed.
Having proved himself with West Ham in the Premier League and for Ireland, over the past two years, Randolph has backed himself to be a regular No.1. He is not content to sit on the bench any more.
The 30-year-old will join fellow Ireland international Cyrus Christie at Middlesbrough next season.
BREAKING: The club has agreed a deal in principle with @WestHamUtd for goalkeeper @RandzOfficial. ⚪️🔴
Full story 👉🏼 https://t.co/oq1ZGOUaNj pic.twitter.com/K8bhXU0L1I— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 21, 2017
A club statement reads:
‘The club have agreed a deal in principle with West Ham United to sign goalkeeper Darren Randolph, subject to a medical and personal terms.
‘The Republic of Ireland international will travel to Rockliffe Park on Saturday in anticipation of finalising the move.’
While Randolph is stepping down a division, he should be guaranteed regular football and that is only a good thing for his World Cup ambitions with Ireland.
Garry Monk is a solid managerial appointment for Boro too and the squad are certainly capable of an immediate return to the Premier League.
