Ireland's Nathan Collins believes it will be business as usual for him despite being made team captain in Seamus Coleman's absence.
The Brentford defender and the Ireland squad will take on Finland tonight in the latest installment of the Nations League. The teams will meet in Helsinki.
Much has been made about the captaincy of Irish national teams this week. Former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll remarked that being Ireland captain caused him undue stress during his career.
Collins, who will captain the team tonight, was asked how he felt about being the captain of the Irish football team and if it has caused him similar stress to O'Driscoll. Both were given the armband at the tender age of 23. The Irish defender said it hadn't caused him stress because the team has so many leaders in the squad.
"No, because I don't think it's going to affect the way I play. I think it's just the same role for me," said Collins to Tony O'Donoghue from RTE Sport. "There's a reason why I was given this, so I’ll just continue what I’m doing. And as I’ve said before, there are plenty of players in the squad that are leaders, and that makes my role easier. You know, the armband is just an armband. Someone’s wearing it, but at the end of the day, you need leaders in the squad. We have so many of them, and they can help me talk, motivate, and keep the standards high off the pitch. That’s what this squad is good at, and I have a lot of help with that."
Nathan Collins sat down with @Corktod to talk about the responsibility of the captain's armband, his desperation to repay the fans' faith and life under Heimir Hallgrimsson #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/Dmu5EYEOAs
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 10, 2024
Ireland needs to stop the slide when it comes to results. Another defeat tonight would be catastrophic in terms of qualification. It's bleak now, but qualification would be a non-starter if the team comes away with a negative result tonight.
Heimir Hallgrímsson didn’t have much time to work with the Ireland squad for the England and Greece games in September, but Collins believes there’s a better buzz around the camp this time around.
"Yeah, of course. I think we’ve enjoyed him a lot as a squad. His first international break was very hard," added Collins. "You know, he’s coming in, giving us new tactics, and it’s hard to get that into the squad early on. But this week has felt a lot better. I think his tactics are really getting implemented into the squad; the lads know their roles a lot better, and I feel like there’s been a better buzz around the camp this time. We’re really looking forward to it, and yeah, of course, we need to win."
Ireland's game begins at 7:45 tonight.
Republic of Ireland Squad: Finland & Greece
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League: Fixtures
10/10 - Finland vs. Ireland, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
13/10 - Greece vs. Ireland, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
