NATHAN COLLINS is eager to captain Ireland after taking being dropped just five months ago in his stride.
Fit-again Séamus Coleman is set to skipper Ireland under interim boss John O’Shea against Belgium on Saturday.
But it would be a surprise if the 35-year-old played twice in three days, with Ireland hosting Switzerland on Tuesday.
And Collins has put up his hand, saying he not only wants to start for his country but lead it.
The Brentford defender said: “I want to play for Ireland, I want to do everything I can for Ireland. I want to captain Ireland, I want to do everything.
“But we want to win, that’s the main thing. One game at a time, a friendly or not, you want to win, and it’s a good chance for us on Saturday to go get a win.
“It’s football at the end of the day. Every game is about winning, no matter what it is.
“As much as it’s experience for the lads and good for them to be in the group, at the end of the day we need to win games.”
And that is something they failed to do with any regularity in the Euro 2024 campaign with their only points coming in the game against Gibraltar as they were beaten home and away by France, Holland and Greece.
Collins said: “I wouldn’t say it’s been hard to represent Ireland, it’s what I wanted to do as a kid so I’ll always enjoy that and take that in.
“But it’s frustrating losing, it’s frustrating not winning games.”
The 22-year-old had to carry the can for the home defeat to Greece in October when he was taken off at half-time after being caught out for one the goals.
And he was left on the bench for the next game, against Gibraltar in Faro, before being restored to the starting XI for the last qualifier against Holland.
But the centre-half had no complaints about Stephen Kenny’s calls.
Collins said: “That’s football really. If you talk to any player in the world, it’s happened to them.
“Stephen was nothing but great for me. I played nearly 16 games in a row, he gave me my debut and everything really. I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s given me so much.
“It’s how you bounce back from it and learn. I’d prefer if it never happened again but there’s every chance it could.”
It has not been the only test of character this season after a difficult outing against his former club Wolves.
But the club’s record signing received the backing of his Bees boss Thomas Frank and he has already played more top-flight minutes this term than he managed for the Molineux outfit last season or Burnley the year before.
Collins said: “When you’re in the moment, in the season, it’s hard to see it that way, how much I’ve grown.
“It’s been tough, we’ve had a lot of setbacks as a team, a lot of injuries, a few ups and downs personally but I think I’ve grown again as a player and a person and I’m really enjoying it.
“At the end I’ll look back to see I’ve played as many games as I have, being consistent, playing every game and trying to stay fit week in, week out.
“That’s when I’m at my best and what I’m hoping for now at the moment. Hopefully I can look back at the end as a positive season.”
INTERIM MANAGEMENT
For now, he is enjoying working with John O’Shea, Brian Kerr and the rest of the interim staff.
Collins said: “John, I can’t speak highly enough of him, he’s been class with us, he’s helped me a lot.
“He’s brought in good lads as well and there’s a good energy and atmosphere coming from them.”
And his family’s St Pat’s links have provided some common ground with the club’s former boss Kerr.
He said: “Me personally, I’d never met him but I think every other member of my family probably has.
“He was telling me stories about my granddad, he’s mad but he’s good, I’m really enjoying it.
“For me I’m like a sponge, I’m just soaking in everything he says, he’s full of information, full of experience.”