CAN'T WAIT

ADAM RANDELL CANNOT WAIT FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TEST

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

MIDFIELDER Adam Randell has declared he is proud to represent the city and the Green Army by playing for his hometown club Plymouth Argyle.

Now the 22-year-old has the opportunity to do that in the Championship during 2023/24, and he can do it fresh from signing a new longterm contract.

The ever-improving Randell is now tied to the Pilgrims until the summer of 2026 and he admitted it had been an easy decision to make.

Randell said: "The gaffer (Steven Schumacher) mentioned it towards the end of last season and as soon as he said it I was keen to do what I could to make sure it happened.

"It wasn't a particularly tough decision for me and I just can't wait to get back out there to be honest and get playing again."

Randell missed two months of last season due to an ankle injury but still made 29 starts and four substitute appearances as Argyle finished top of League One with a remarkable 101 points.

He chipped in with three goals, including the vital equaliser in the come-from-behind 3-1 win away to Port Vale on the final day of the campaign which clinched the league title.

Now Argyle are faced with the prospect of stepping up a level to play in the Championship for the first time since 2010, when Randell was a young fan watching from the Home Park stands.

Randell said: "It will be amazing.

It's something I'm really looking forward to. It's another achievement for myself, as well as for the club obviously getting back.

"To call myself a Championship footballer is something I have wanted to do for a few years and I have managed to make it become a reality.