NATHAN COLLINS SAYS the Republic of Ireland players are “ready to go to war for each other” in the final two Nations League group games.
The international captain, speaking ahead of Saturday’s penultimate fixture against Austria in Linz, feels he has a “fresher mind” and is not affected by any of the “scar tissue” that might remain following the last window of fixtures.
Collins was ruled out of the games with Israel, Austria and Kosovo with a calf injury and admitted he felt a sense of helplessness watching on from home as the drama unfolded among players voting on whether to fulfil the fixture with Israel in Hungary.
Collins explained how he messaged teammates offering any support that was required, and that when he visited Dublin for the 2-2 draw with Austria a few days after the 3-0 victory over Israel he let his emotions out.
Troy Parrott in training. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“I guess I can come in here probably with a fresher mind. I don’t have that maybe scar tissue of last month from what they’ve experienced. So my role is just all in this game, focus on this game,” he said.
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“The past is the past. We want to take the good from the past and drive that for our confidence to do better with. For me, I think there’s so many positives from last camp. I think there’s so much we can build on.
“That’s what I’m trying to drive and that’s what we’re trying to take into the next couple of games. So of course, it’s hard for me to take away the potential scar tissue from them but I think the lads’ mindset, everyone is focused on these games, I don’t think they’re worried with what happened last camp. We’re all excited and raring to go.
“It was probably more stressful away from it than it might have been in it,” Collins said, when asked about following events in Debrecen as players voted on the eve of the Israel game about whether to go ahead with it.
“I had no control over anything. I could only see what I could see online. It made it really tough. I did feel like I left the lads there on their own, by not being there, not being involved. It was tough. It was frustrating for me not to be able to be there with them.
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“So when we had that opportunity, Austria at home to get there, see them, give them a hug, see the lads, honestly I was so happy to see them. I was celebrating the goals and that win of the second game that was probably one of the best moments I’ve probably had as an Irishman.
“I was celebrating in my room, just shouting, one of the proudest moments I’ve seen being an Ireland fan, really, and seeing them at home to Austria, I let it all out.”
Collins has recovered from a calf injury and he is still playing his way back into contention at Brentford after last playing 90 minutes in the Premier League in August.
He feels like the squad is in a good place as Ireland aim for at least a second place finish in the group, and while Heimir Hallgrímsson says Seamus Coleman is not in contention for this game he may be considered on Tuesday.
The Ireland boss cited the five players on yellow cards – Ryan Manning, Liam Scales, Jayson Molumby, Conor Coventry and Adam Idah – as a potential cause for drafting Coleman in.
Collins praised his quality and influence, and stressed the togetherness of the squad since the events of September and October.
“I just think everyone feels very comfortable around each other. I don’t think anyone is shying away, I don’t think anyone feels uncomfortable in the group. I just think everyone’s there, everyone’s really bonded really well, there’s a different feel to it.
“If anybody experienced what they went through, I think that’s normal. I think that’s extremely normal.
“I think it’s really healthy to have, and I think we’re ready to go to war for each other. I think we will all go through a brick wall for each other. I can only keep emphasising that we’re ready to go. I think we’re excited to go, and we want another game of football.”
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Nathan Collins opens up on Ireland's scar tissue and feeling helpless over Israel debacle
NATHAN COLLINS SAYS the Republic of Ireland players are “ready to go to war for each other” in the final two Nations League group games.
The international captain, speaking ahead of Saturday’s penultimate fixture against Austria in Linz, feels he has a “fresher mind” and is not affected by any of the “scar tissue” that might remain following the last window of fixtures.
Collins was ruled out of the games with Israel, Austria and Kosovo with a calf injury and admitted he felt a sense of helplessness watching on from home as the drama unfolded among players voting on whether to fulfil the fixture with Israel in Hungary.
Collins explained how he messaged teammates offering any support that was required, and that when he visited Dublin for the 2-2 draw with Austria a few days after the 3-0 victory over Israel he let his emotions out.
“I guess I can come in here probably with a fresher mind. I don’t have that maybe scar tissue of last month from what they’ve experienced. So my role is just all in this game, focus on this game,” he said.
“The past is the past. We want to take the good from the past and drive that for our confidence to do better with. For me, I think there’s so many positives from last camp. I think there’s so much we can build on.
“That’s what I’m trying to drive and that’s what we’re trying to take into the next couple of games. So of course, it’s hard for me to take away the potential scar tissue from them but I think the lads’ mindset, everyone is focused on these games, I don’t think they’re worried with what happened last camp. We’re all excited and raring to go.
“It was probably more stressful away from it than it might have been in it,” Collins said, when asked about following events in Debrecen as players voted on the eve of the Israel game about whether to go ahead with it.
“I had no control over anything. I could only see what I could see online. It made it really tough. I did feel like I left the lads there on their own, by not being there, not being involved. It was tough. It was frustrating for me not to be able to be there with them.
“So when we had that opportunity, Austria at home to get there, see them, give them a hug, see the lads, honestly I was so happy to see them. I was celebrating the goals and that win of the second game that was probably one of the best moments I’ve probably had as an Irishman.
“I was celebrating in my room, just shouting, one of the proudest moments I’ve seen being an Ireland fan, really, and seeing them at home to Austria, I let it all out.”
Collins has recovered from a calf injury and he is still playing his way back into contention at Brentford after last playing 90 minutes in the Premier League in August.
He feels like the squad is in a good place as Ireland aim for at least a second place finish in the group, and while Heimir Hallgrímsson says Seamus Coleman is not in contention for this game he may be considered on Tuesday.
The Ireland boss cited the five players on yellow cards – Ryan Manning, Liam Scales, Jayson Molumby, Conor Coventry and Adam Idah – as a potential cause for drafting Coleman in.
Collins praised his quality and influence, and stressed the togetherness of the squad since the events of September and October.
“I just think everyone feels very comfortable around each other. I don’t think anyone is shying away, I don’t think anyone feels uncomfortable in the group. I just think everyone’s there, everyone’s really bonded really well, there’s a different feel to it.
“If anybody experienced what they went through, I think that’s normal. I think that’s extremely normal.
“I think it’s really healthy to have, and I think we’re ready to go to war for each other. I think we will all go through a brick wall for each other. I can only keep emphasising that we’re ready to go. I think we’re excited to go, and we want another game of football.”
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FAI Heimir Hallgrímsson Nathan Collins Republic Of Ireland uefa nations league