NATURAL LEADER & SKIPPER?

BY PAUL O’HEHIR

NATHAN COLLINS has the cut of an Ireland captain-inwaiting and insists he relishes responsibility.

Ireland’s most expensive ever player after a €24 million summer switch from Burnley to Wolves, he has quickly become an indispensable member of Stephen Kenny’s team.

Only seven games into his senior international career, the 21-year-old has emerged a trusted leader on and off the pitch.

John Egan is likely to retain the armband with Seamus Coleman’s lack of club games set to cost him a starting role again.

But Collins (above) has a long career ahead of him. His value to this team is already without question and he ticks all the boxes for a future captain.

Quizzed about his move to Wolves and the need to show leadership in the wake of Conor Coady’s switch to Everton, Collins said he embraced challenges.

“Taking responsibility is something I’ve always had in myself, I don’t have a problem doing that,” he said. “I don’t have a problem in leading a side. I want to be challenged and it’s another challenge and another thing to add to my game if I can. So I’m enjoying it.”

Meanwhile, Collins is tipping Joe Hodge, 20, to make the breakthrough with Wolves and Ireland.

Last month, the midfielder joined Wolves from Manchester City on a three-year deal and is in Israel with the Ireland under-21s for tonight’s big playoff decider.

Collins said: “He’s a nice technical player and he has that old-school principle of not minding getting stuck in.

“He’s showing that now and I’ve a lot of belief that when he gets that opportunity he’ll show it to everyone.”