Randall’s priority is assisting Grecians
EXETER CITY winger Joel Randall is fully focused on trying to achieve promotion with Exeter City and has put thoughts of a big-money move away aside, writes Daniel Clark.
The 21-year-old was linked with moves to Celtic and Swansea City during the January transfer window, while Charlton Athletic had two bids for the Devon club’s Academy product rejected, but Randall declared that while the interest in his from higher up the pyramid was nice, he remains fully committed to the Grecians and getting them into League One next season.
“I didn’t take much notice of it. The agent kept me in touch with a few things and I was aware there was some interest, but at the end of the day I was fully committed to Exeter,” he said last week.
“I said to them I want to be successful this season and I was just keeping my head down, working hard to play every Saturday and Tuesday for them [Exeter], so it didn’t really bother me too much.
“Of course, seeing the Celtic shout was dream stuff, really, to see that interest, but I’ve got a job to do with Exeter, so I can’t let it distract me. It was all Exeter for me.”
Exeter’s Academy has launched the careers of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, Wales international Ethan Ampadu and Swansea City captain Matt Grimes, along with a host of other players plying their trade in the Football League, and Randall said that their success has highlighted to other clubs the talent in Devon.
He added: “They’ve all shown what the academy can produce so they’ll put us in that sort of bracket as well. In the future hopefully we can match their careers. They know it’s a good academy and we keep producing, so hopefully that can continue.”
After eight games in his first 18 appearances this season, Randall is currently on a ten-match streak without a goal. He said that, while it was disappointing to miss a period of action in January due to a hamstring injury, the break in what is his first full season may have come at just the right time.
“The break helped me physically and mentally to have a little rest and recharge and reflect on the rest of the season and prepare for the end of the season,” he said.
“At the start of the season, I was scoring every other game and that’s amazing and [I was] thinking it will keep going, but the more I played, I’ve just taken it in my stride and enjoyed the football. Getting three points is the most important thing and that’s the main aim.
“I’m now back feeling ready and feeling fit, and as much as I wanted to play, it was nice to get a physical and mental rest.”
Randall was speaking before Saturday’s League One trip to Oldham Athletic was postponed because of a frozen pitch at Boundary Park. Torquay United’s National League trip to Woking was also called off.