Latest news with #Kildare-native
The Irish Sun
02-08-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Nathan Collins achieves historic career landmark with Brentford as Ireland star promises fans ‘special campaign'
NATHAN COLLINS has promised fans a "special campaign" after being named Brentford captain. The Republic of Ireland defender, 24, has been given the captain's armband by Advertisement 2 Nathan Collins has been named Brentford captain Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 It is less than a year after he captained Ireland for the first time Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile He succeeds Christian Norgaard as skipper following his move to And the Kildare-native said: "It's a massive honour to be captain of this great football club. "There have been some great people and footballers before me. "I'm really excited by the challenge of this season and, with your support, it'll be a special campaign." Advertisement Read More on Brentford Collins signed for He made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Bees in his maiden campaign before a record-breaking second. The Cherry Orchard export was the only outfield player to play every minute of every game in the Premier League last season. And he will be an important figure for new boss - and former Ireland assistant - Keith Andrews after he succeeded Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Live Blog Andrews said: "Nathan's someone I've known since he was around 14 years of age, coaching some of the Ireland youth teams. "He's always been a natural leader, he's gained a lot of experience considering the age that he is, and he's developed his professionalism to a new level because he's been involved in this environment for a couple of years and has learnt from some great people. 'Don't say that on camera' - Nathan Collins' admission about Caoimhin Kelleher's move leaves Heimir in stitches "He communicates very well, he's got really good values, on and off the pitch, and, naturally, players gravitate towards him. "He has respect from all the players and staff, which is a key attribute to have. Advertisement "Nathan is a brilliant fit, but he's just one player and he needs the support of all of us and all the players within the dressing room . "We've got some fantastic experience, which will include a leadership group that's been selected around Nathan and they will all have a voice in how we do things, because I'm big on player involvement in the process, what we do, and how we do it." His ascension to Brentford skipper comes less than a year after he captained Ireland for the first time in September 2024. He led the team out against Advertisement And 'My family did, I think they were crying in the stand, honestly, it means a lot to me and my family. 'I think in this camp, it's nearly easy being a captain of this team as there are so many leaders. "I could go through this team and you could name six or seven boys who would help me out, chip in, talk, motivate, and it makes my job easier. Advertisement 'We're missing a few of the older boys, past leaders, and it is time for boys to step up and time for us to start showing our leadership. 'It's been very a very positive week, we've had a lot of meetings, we've had to, it's part and parcel of international football. 'I think the work we have done on the pitch has been very productive, we're looking forward to go now and we have a good feeling this week. 'We feel a lot better, we know our ways around what the gaffer wants again and there's been a better feeling this week.' Advertisement
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Nathan Collins sets unexpected Premier League record with Brentford as Ireland star overtakes Virgil Van Dijk
NATHAN COLLINS can lay claim to an unexpected Premier League record - overtaking Virgil van Dijk to do so. The Republic of Ireland international has been a revelation since signing for 2 Nathan Collins is the only outfield player to play every single minute in the Premier League this season Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 He overtook Virgil Van Dijk after he was rested against Brighton Credit: Getty Images - Getty He had been matched all the way by This means that the Kildare-native is now the only outfield player to have starred in every single minute of every single game in the division this season. He can round out an entire Premier League campaign if he plays all 90 minutes in Brentford's final fixture away to Wolves on Sunday. He will carry the confidence of a breakthrough Premier League campaign into the international window. Read More on Ireland MNT The qualifiers begin in September. Boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has been experimenting with Collins' position in recent games, having tried him in midfield against That experiment did not go to plan, with Ireland losing 5-0 although they competed well until Yet despite the result, the 24-year-old insisted he would Most read in Football Speaking ahead of the first leg of the 'The first half was a new role, we were in control of what we wanted to do, the way we set up we were in control, the problems we caused England were what we wanted to cause them. 'Frustrated' Nathan Collins hints at explosive fall-out in Ireland dressing room after latest loss to Greece 'I was fortunate to have two good lads there beside me in Jay (Jayson Molumby) and Josh (Cullen) helping me out and talking to me. 'The lads behind me talking as well, what we worked on and that we wanted to do to cause problems to them. I was happy with my performance in the first half.' Still he admitted that the role took a lot of adapting on the day as he explained his role in detail. He said: 'There's a lot more going on really. Usually when I'm a defender, it's mostly in front of me but, now in that position a lot is behind you. 'There's runners behind you, there are players there, so my head is constantly in the swivel, checking where everybody is, trying to ensure they're in the right position. 'The game feels quicker in there and the ball moves quicker whereas at centre-back because it's in front of you, it moves a bit slower. 'You must move up and down the pitch, to organise when we're attacking and defending. 'With the role we created, I had to pick the right time to drop back in to defend but also stay up and impose that press as well. 'It's not it's something new, it was a challenge I was looking forward to, believing I could help the lads in that role. 'But, again, it was an exciting challenge, and if he needs me to play there again I'd be happy to play there again if the manager wants.'
