15 hours Ago By Irishexaminer.com
His Helsinki horror pass proved that Nathan Collins has to be careful with every touch but his Ireland manager holds no fears of his captain’s every action and word. Another injury to Séamus Coleman removed a potential dilemma for Heimir Hallgrimsson to confront in the form of the armband and yet he seems to have settled on the 23-year-old as his long-term skipper. For all the towering presence Collins brings to defence, underhitting a backpass against Finland that enabled Joel Pohjanpalo race clear for the opener raised doubts about the defender’s reliability.
He’s still something of a rare commodity, a Premier League constant for the last four seasons. Between Burnley, Wolves and now Brentford, €65m has been shelled out for his services, making him by far the most expensive Irish player in terms of fees. All identified his leadership skills as a trait complementary to footballing ability.
Hallgrimsson, too, marked him out as a figurehead, choosing Collins above older options as his captain once Coleman was forced off during his first match at the helm against England in September. “Nathan Jones made me captain at Stoke City when I was 18 for the way I was,” said the Leixlip man when asked about his leadership qualities, resulting in him becoming the youngest ever captain of his first club. “That’s how I’ve always seen myself.
The way I play is I’ll always try to be a leader. “I haven’t changed much, mentality-wise, from then. Maybe physically a little bit.
“I don’t think my style will ever change because there’s an armband on my arm. I’ll always be the same player, if I have it or if I don’t. “I’ll always try to be a leader, be positive and encourage by talking to people.
Maybe that’s what he (Hallgrimsson) has seen in me. Why would I change something that I can already do?” Flanking him at the pre-match press conference was his manager. This was the last question, something of an extra-time one as well, and would leave a lasting tone for the visit of Finland.
“Good answer,” noted the Icelander in an approving manner. He was philosophical about the October blunder of Collins, likewise Caoimhin Kelleher’s howler which led to Greece’s second goal. “Shit happens,” deadpanned Hallgrimsson by way of explanation.
It’s evident Collins himself isn’t scarred by his misstep. “I’d rather not do it again,” he says with a grin. “I think I’ve made enough mistakes in my career already that I know I have to bounce back and I thought I did alright.
I think mentally, probably a year or two years earlier I would have been a bit lost after that. It would have affected me badly. “I think I’m proud of how I reacted.
I got on with it, moved on, went back to basics, won my little duels, got my little passes, did those things right and got myself back in the game. “Of course it’s annoying, it affects you, with the group we have here, I know they’ll fight for me. They always look after me and they did that time.
” Just leave the scary bits consigned to Halloween season..
