CENTRE OF ATTENTION

Versatile Collins happy to follow in footsteps of Irish legend McGrath

- BY MARK McCADDEN

WHILE he is familiar with the old refrain of ‘Ooh Aah Paul McGrath’, Nathan Collins prefers a bit of Frank Sinatra - as he contemplates another appearance for Ireland in midfield.

Heimir Hallgrímsson is weighing up whether to start the Brentford centre-half again in an advanced position, this time in tonight's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off first-leg against Bulgaria.

It’s a tactic that worked well at Wembley last November while Ireland still had 11 men on the pitch against England.

Collins played ahead of the defence and gave an extra layer of protection, as the Boys in Green produced a fine 45-minute display before it all fell apart after Liam Scales’ red card early in the second-half.

McGrath was famously utilised on occasion by Jack Charlton in midfield. That was way before Collins' time, but he is aware of the legendary player's status among the Irish faithful.

"I obviously heard a lot and the song (Ooh Ahh Paul McGrath) and everything," said the Leixlip native.

"We all know how good he was. If I can get to his level, it would be great.”