Brentford, the World Cup and an itch to return to Gaelic football

Nathan Collins grew up around football and describes his life as essentially defined by the sport.

“- Published The Football Interview is a new series in which the biggest names in sport and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for bold and in-depth conversations about the nation's favourite sport”

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He says he played a lot of Gaelic football as a kid and trained with both his football team and a Gaelic team, often on weekends.

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Collins moved to England aged 15, left school, and loved being able to train and play football every day.

He comes from a footballing family—his granddad was a coach, and his dad, uncles and brothers all played for Cherry Orchard.

Cherry Orchard was his first proper team, where several relatives also played and trained until he was 15.

Collins recalls his big break came when he was brought on for Stoke in a game away to Swansea after the team were down to nine men.

He describes that moment as getting his name into the first team.

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He is proud to serve as captain of both Brentford and the Republic of Ireland.

He relives the Hungary moment, noting the last kick of the game when Finn Azaz chipped a through ball to Troy Parrott and Collins finished, triggering wild celebrations among 100 Irish players and staff.

He says he is focused on his current job in the Premier League and will not let playoff talk distract him.

Collins says Brentford's season has been enjoyable and that the club has continued to perform well despite changes, including the departure of manager Thomas Frank and strikers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa.

“- Published The Football Interview is a new series in which the biggest names in sport and entertainment join host Kelly Somers for bold and in-depth conversations about the nation's favourite sport”

BBC

He notes that nobody truly knows what goes on in the building, which makes the squad's quality and the staff's work important.

He has known Keith Andrews since his younger days and was buzzing when Andrews got the manager's job.

He describes Andrews as having the right balance of shouting and friendship, and considers his man management to be really important.

Collins says as a youngster he was a headcase: he was itchy, always moving, and his parents had to burn him out.

He explains that he has an older brother, a younger sister and a younger brother, and that his mum flies to every game, home or away.

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He says his best friends would describe him as a good lad and someone who comes out when they can, not just a footballer.

On days off he would play golf with teammates in a Ryder Cup style group, and they sometimes win.

He enjoys cooking and says he is getting better at it, with his girlfriend telling him he is improving.