Nathan Collins tells how his proud family reacted to his new role with Ireland

Brentford and Ireland defender Nathan Collins will captain Ireland against Finland on Thursday

Nathan Collins said his proud family were in tears when he was handed the captain’s armband for the first time during Ireland’s Nations League defeat to England last month.

The Brentford defender took over from Seamus Coleman when the Everton defender went off in the second-half with an injury, and he skippered the side again three days later against Greece.

Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson will once again assign the role to the 23-year-old when the Boys in Green take on Finland in Helsinki on Thursday night.

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Collins can’t wait to wear the armband again. He said: “Obviously, it’s a huge moment for me and my family.

“I probably didn’t take in the moment as much as I should have (against England), but that’s just the way I am. 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.

“And 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.”

Collins has described the week so far as “very positive” - as Ireland look to secure their first win under new boss Hallgrímsson.

“We've had a lot of meetings, we've had to, it's part and parcel of international football,” said the Leixlip native.

“I think the work we have done on the pitch has been very productive, we're looking forward to going 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.”

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