Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph handed Mick McCarthy a European Championship boost when he stepped up his training with the squad at the FAI National Training Centre on Saturday, ahead of Monday night’s clash with Denmark.
Randolph was back in the Middlesbrough team last weekend after a spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury and had worked mostly in the gym prior to Saturday’s return to the training ground.
“I said we’d wrap Darren Randolph in cotton wool ahead of the Denmark match and we’ve almost been true to my word,” laughed Ireland boss Mick McCarthy after the penultimate session before the Denmark tie.
“He wasn’t involved for the New Zealand win on Thursday night and he’s done most of his work in the gym this week so it was great to see him working on the pitch today.
“Like everyone else in the squad, Darren is fit and rearing to go and he can’t wait for the game now.”
McCarthy and his players watched Denmark’s 6-0 win over Gibraltar after dinner on Friday night with the manager also keeping an eye on Switzerland’s 1-0 victory against Georgia.
The Ireland manager told FAI.ie: “The results on Friday were exactly as expected but with Switzerland-Georgia being such a close game, I did cheer that late Switzerland goal as it means a one goal win will do us on Monday.
“Denmark will be happy with their result but we knew before their game that we’d have to beat them and that’s still the case. Nothing has changed.”
