Darren Randolph labels Ireland's second leg with Denmark as 'win or bust'

The goalkeeper also insisted he was ready for the prospect of penalties

Randolph's saves kept Ireland in the tie (Getty)

Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph says his side will take the initiative in Tuesday’s World Cup second-leg at home against Denmark because it’s a case of “win or bust” - although insisted they will also be fully ready for the third potential scenario of a penalty shoot-out.

The two teams drew 0-0 in a poor first leg in Copenhagen on Saturday and while Randolph accepted it puts a bit of pressure on because Ireland don’t have an away goal, said the mood is high due to the knowledge of the simple fact that one win will take them to Russia 2018.

“Yeah, we will [take the initiative],” the goalkeeper said. “We'll be at home... it's win or bust on Tuesday. We're the home team so we'll obviously have to get the result.

“I think we wanted to stay in the tie coming over here, we didn't want the tie to be over after the first game. We're still in it and we're at home next.

“You can't go away and try and win the game in the first 10 minutes, or the first half, I mean you have to keep yourself in the tie and give yourself a chance, which is what we've got. We go back to Dublin on Tuesday and go again.

“We can't be too down. We're still in the tie. Win on Tuesday, we go to Russia, it's as simple as that.”

It could get a bit more complicated if it is again 0-0 and stays that way through extra-time, as it will go to penalties. While Randolph admitted he hasn’t actually played in a shoot-out since he was a youth player, he did point out that he has a good record saving spot-kicks recently.

Ireland will be looking to add more creativity in the second leg (Getty Images)

“It’s been a while… probably not since Milk Cup when I was 13 or 14. I want to a say we won but I can't remember!

“The last one I saved was probably [against] Bournemouth last season for West Ham [United]. Two in one game, missed one, saved one. It wasn’t [Irish teammate Harry Arter].

“If you want sooner than that it was in training the other day. I'm not going to name him!

“You look at everything. We'll be concentrating on the first 90 and obviously if it goes to penalties, so be it, we'll deal with that when it comes. You look at it before a normal game, so you're going to do the same if there's a chance of it going to penalties. You'll have players that aren't regular penalty takers. You'd be silly not to have a look or some sort of idea. That'll obviously be in our plans and preparation for Tuesday.”

Randolph also said he would want to take a penalty if it came to it on Tuesday.