GARRY MONK is hoping the lure of a potential appearance at the World Cup finals will help ensure Middlesbrough duo Darren Randolph and Cyrus Christie remain at the peak of their form throughout the rest of the Championship season.

Randolph and Christie were both involved in Monday’s dramatic decider that saw the Republic of Ireland pip Wales to a World Cup play-off spot courtesy of a 1-0 win in Cardiff.

The duo were heavily involved in the victory, with Randolph making a string of important saves, including a superb early effort to deny Aaron Ramsey, and Christie displaying his customary energy on the right-hand side of the Irish defence to help Martin O’Neill’s side record a crucial clean sheet.

Ireland will discover the identity of their play-off opponents next week, with Italy, Switzerland, Croatia and Denmark having been confirmed as top seeds, and while they will start as underdogs whoever they face, they have relished that role in the past.

Unsurprisingly, Randolph and Christie were in a buoyant mood when they returned to Boro’s Rockliffe Park training base earlier this week, and Monk is hoping they carry their confident demeanour into tomorrow’s game at Barnsley and beyond.

“You’re watching the game (against Wales), and wanting them to do well because you know that’ll put a spring in their step,” said the Boro boss. “It was a massive build-up to the game and there was a lot that went into it, so we were delighted when they came out with such an important win.

“I thought they deserved it in the end – I thought the pair of them contributed to what was a very good defensive performance from Ireland. The game plan they had worked very well, and for the pair of them to have got themselves into touching distance of the World Cup is fantastic.

“There’s not many players who get that opportunity in their career, so we’re delighted for them. Hopefully, it’ll help drive them on when they’re playing for us.

“I said when they signed that it was an important season for them, and it’s even more important for them now that they’re showing good form. If they can do well here, then they can take that into the summer and hopefully be at the World Cup. It could be a fantastic season for them.”

Christie got his chance on the right-hand side of Ireland’s back four when first-choice full-back Seamus Coleman suffered an injury, but Randolph has established himself as his country’s undisputed number one in his position since moving to Middlesbrough.

Had he remained at West Ham United, and played understudy to Joe Hart, he might well have found himself on the bench this week. Instead, his willingness to drop down to the Championship in search of regular first-team football has been rewarded.

From the moment he walked through the door at Middlesbrough, he was always very open about his desire to play regularly in order to further his international ambitions, and Monk readily admits that was one of the reasons he was initially attracted to the 30-year-old.

“He (Randolph) has more than justified the move,” he said. “When you’re doing your recruitment, part of what you’re looking for is players that are hungry to play football.

“Yes, you might be in the Premier League, like Darren was, but are you happy to stay there even if you’re not playing, or is that not enough? You need players who are hungry to prove a point. I think the way we recruited this season, we had that in mind for sure.

“Speaking to Darren for instance, I could sense that determination in him straight away, and speaking to people who have worked with him, I could understand the type of lad he was. Then you’re obviously watching him and analysing what type of keeper he is. He ticked all the right boxes, and I think he’s proved that in the games he’s played so far.”

Dael Fry was also in international action last week for England Under-21s, and the trio have reported back to Rockliffe without any problems.

That makes Rudy Gestede Boro’s only absentee, and while the striker will not be involved at Oakwell tomorrow, he should be available before the end of the month as he continues to make good progress in his recovery from a leg problem.

“The international lads have all come back fine,” said Monk. “Rudy is the only player still out, but he’s doing really well. Timeframe wise, we’re probably looking more towards the end of the month. It might be into the start of next month, but we’ll see, it’s a daily process.

“He’s actually ahead of where we thought he might be, so it could even be before the end of the month. We’ll see. He’s moving forward with the medical guys here, and then once he’s back out onto the grass, it’ll be a much clearer process. There are tick boxes he needs to get to, but hopefully it won’t be long before he’s back into training and playing.”