"If individuals wanted to take a stand, we are not going to hold them back." That's Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins drawing a clear line ahead of what are shaping up to be two of the most politically charged international fixtures Ireland have played in years.
The Boys in Green face Israel twice in the UEFA Nations League — away in September, likely at a neutral venue, and at the Aviva Stadium on 4 October. The FAI's decision to fulfil both fixtures has already sparked a protest outside the Dáil, with public pressure building well before a ball has been kicked. Collins addressed it all at FAI HQ ahead of Thursday's friendly against Qatar.
Trust the process — but don't silence the players
Collins' position is a careful balance. He's backing the FAI and government to make the right calls — "we have to trust the people around us" — while making equally clear that individual players won't be muzzled. "They are entitled to their own opinions. If they are very strong about that, we can't stop them."
That's a notable statement from a captain. It's not a blank endorsement of protest, but it's not a shutdown either. It leaves the door open in a way that could become significant as October approaches and the scrutiny intensifies.
FAI CEO David Courell's line has been consistent since February: UEFA permits Israel to compete, Ireland fulfils its fixtures. Simple in principle. Less simple when your captain is fielding questions about individual conscience at a pre-friendly press conference.
A captain finding his feet
Away from the geopolitics, Collins has had a genuinely interesting season at Brentford. Named club captain and Ireland skipper at the start of the campaign, he admits he overcomplicated both roles early on — dropped to the bench in late January, waiting until March to reclaim his place.
"I tried to change too much what I needed to do for the team," he said. The 25-year-old from Kildare eventually figured out that Brentford runs itself, and that a captain who tries to carry everything ends up carrying nothing well. The form returned. Brentford finished one goal difference shy of Europe after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on the final day.
He drew the same parallel with international duty — the presence of experienced heads like Seamus Coleman and John Egan freed him to just play. The Ireland captaincy looked like a burden in autumn. By spring, it looked like it fit.
Prague still stings. Collins made that plain. But he also made clear it's sharpened something: "There's a bite in me, wanting to succeed more for Ireland." The Nations League campaign, Israel complications and all, is where he'll get his next chance to feed it.
