ROB ELLIOT AND Darren Randolph are more than a little familiar with one another at this stage.
Less than a year separates the duo in age, while both players came through the Charlton Athletic youth system around the same time.
And whereas once, they were competing for the number one jersey at club level, nowadays it is the Ireland goalkeeping spot that they are each vying for.
And with Randolph one of just two players (along with Jon Walters) to have played every minute of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign so far, Elliot acknowledges that the Bray native currently has the edge over him in the battle for a starting position at international level.
“Darren’s been fantastic the last couple of years, since he’s come in (before) the Euros,” he says.
It’s just great to see him and great to train together and push each other on. Whatever happens, I just want the best for the squad.
“You’re competing with people every day, but at the end of the day, it’s down to the manager to pick. We’re all mates, it’s not our decision. So you just get on with it, train hard, enjoy it as much as you can and go from there.”
In addition, owing to Randolph losing his place in the West Ham team and subsequently being sold to Championship side Middlesbrough, Newcastle star Elliot is now the only Irish goalkeeper playing regularly at Premier League level.
However, the Magpies number one is keen to play down the significance of his current superior status at club level.
“Not really, no,” he says, when asked if playing in England’s top flight leaves him with an advantage over Randolph.
Darren’s proven himself in the Premier League and on the international stage. He’s playing every week and the Championship, I can tell you from playing there last year, it’s a high standard, especially at the top — there are eight or nine teams going for promotion.”
Elliot has been capped just four times at international level, with his most recent appearance coming in a 2-2 friendly draw with Slovakia on 29 March 2016. The game in question is one the experienced stopper will never forget, as his night ended prematurely, having suffered a serious knee injury that put him out of action for over a year.
This serious setback, coupled with the fact that Elliot is now 31 and closer to the end of his career than the start, has taught him to appreciate every moment he has left in football.
Recovering from injury itself is sort of a mental battle. It’s the first battle you have to face when coming back from a long injury — just having the strength to do the little things.
“The first day, you’re on the sofa, all you can do is tense your muscle on and off 10 times all day basically. So you just have to apply yourself and think about the things you want to improve.
When you get back fit and are just training every day, you realise what a blessing it is.
“So when you’re in the gym, you just try to work a bit harder and hopefully, you reap the rewards when you come back, because you are that bit mentally tougher.
So you try to take the positives out of it, make the best out of a bad situation, and that’s all you can do.”
Reflecting now that he is completely fit and healthy again, Elliot recalls how there were days when the stress and strain of being out with a long-term injury got the better of him.
You can’t (not be) human,” he adds. “You just have to accept that there are going to be days where you just can’t handle it, whatever it might be.
“Me and the physio had a thing — clear your head and come back tomorrow, because if you’re not in the right frame of mind after a major operation, you don’t want to be doing things that you’re not mentally prepared for.
So you enjoy life with your family and come back the next day ready to work.”
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Have to say Kenny saying Seamus was in the best period of his career was a bit disconcerting, because he really is far from it and that statement indicates he’s probably starting. Maybe the solution would be to play the back three we have here, but play Omabamidele as a more defensive oriented wing back to add a bit of pace to cover Mbappe. We’ll likely have most Joy on the break anyway so, playing Ogbene down the right side of the forward line would make sense as he runs into the channel a lot and could take up the space that would be vacated by Omabamidele not pushing as far forward. Horses for courses as they say. In reality though we’re unlikely to get anything out of this game, because are just that good, so hope the usual doom merchants around here don’t start the usual pile on after a loss. The team is growing, we need support not this constant negativity.
@Zim Zimma: There are no doom merchants as you imply, people that know the game inside out are quiet fully aware that we simply do not have the talent and all this tripe about how young the squad are and give them a chance simply doesn’t wash. The sight of Stephen Kenny jumping about and celebrating after Ireland scored the winning goal in a friendly game at home to a team ranked 133 in the world just about sums it all up.
The lack of game time for these players will be shown up now against the French.
Collins especially. Kept running out with the ball from the back.he was dropped by wolves because of that He’s not match sharp.
The Doherty has been glued to the bench since he joined athletico
It be a miracle to get a draw, it’s possible if France have an off night but looking how they played last night be a tall order.
Think if your asking Coleman to cover the right wing versus Hernandez and Mbappe your asking for trouble. Have to double up on that side.
Alot of people questioning Coleman’s selection. But if we are to have any hope of a result in this match, a lot of things would have to happen. One of them would have to be a vintage display from Coleman. Any decent result Everton have managed recently, he’s been key.
Bazunu looks all over the place at Southampton at the minute, would start Kelleher, doesn’t make the same mistakes as Bazunu at the minute
@Lord Lurgan: well bazunu has played football this season kelleher hasn’t.
Kelleher needs to be playing first team football. Then he can be the irish number 1
@Lord Lurgan: How could Kelliher make a mistake he does not play
No
No hope for this team
@Mark Dunne: Do you work for the Samaritans?
Eire team needs to gather the midfield as Argentina Did, attack the flanks
My team
Bazunu
Coleman
Egan
ODara
Doherty
Knight
Cullen
Collins
McClean
Smallbone
Ferguson since Idah is not ready
Doesn’t matter which team we put out, they’ll hammer us. Let’s hope the Dutch don’t get any better than they played last night and we might have a chance against them. Was watching the Greece game aswell and they’ll be tough to get points from. So all-in-all we’re pretty-much bunched. COYBIG!
@Terry Fagan: No reason why we can’t give the french a good game. Holland were awful last night.
@Louis Jacob: Let’s hope so!
Good team. Totally agree about Ogbene on current form. He’s more similar to Mitoma at Brighton than Obafemi, a more direct runner. Smallbone as an option for the second half is good too. Not sure what to do with Doherty but I guess he has to start.
I agree with this team. Up front I like Ogbene’s attitude on the pitch and for that reason combined with his pace and strength I’d like to see him start
Think smallbone played too well against latvia to not start