There may be a Rowdy house party in Troon if Tampa win title
It’s a far cry from Ayrshire but Neill Collins is living the American dream
It’s a long way from Forthbank to Florida. In football terms it represents the huge journey travelled by Neill Collins.
The 37-year-old will be in the dugout at the Al Lang Stadium in downtown St Petersburg in the early hours of tomorrow morning for the biggest game of his fledgling managerial career.
Collins has enjoyed a rapid rise in just two-and-a-half years as boss of Tampa Bay Rowdies.
He will lead the iconic American club into their first USL Championship final when they take on Phoenix Rising.
The Covid crisis will prevent dad John from making the trip across the Big Pond.
He will be forced to burn the midnight oil, watching his son on television at his home in Ayrshire.
That wasn’t the case when he watched Collins come on for the last two minutes of Queen’s Park’s 2- 0 win at Stirling Albion for his senior debut.
Nineteen years, more than 500 appearances on and 4000 miles away, the 37-year-old from Troon sees this as just as significant in his career.
Speaking to MailSport from his new home Stateside as he prepared for his huge test, Collins said: “What everyone wants is to win things and get to the highest level possible.
“This game will be one of my biggest achievements but in professional sport you’re constantly moving on to the next one. I still look back to my professional debut for Queen’s Park as a 17-year- old against St i rl ing Albion away.
“Dad was there and it’s still one of my favourite moments because as a young kid you only want to be a professional.
“There’s been far more downs than ups along the way – but the ups, whether it be winning trophies at Sunderland or Wolves or playing for Scotland Under-21s, are all part of a journey.
“This is just extending that. I’m two-and-a-half years into the job and my short- term objective is to be successful enough to stay in this role.
“I’m gaining a lot of experience and that’s something I felt as a young player stood me in good stead.
“The longer I’m in the job the better I’m getting. I feel a lot better than I did a year ago and if we keep playing the way we are, and getting the results, then everyone at the club will get recognition in some shape or form.
“My mum will be pretending to sleep while my dad watches through his fingers in the other room.
“It’s a pity they couldn’t be here in the current circumstances given the support they’ve shown me throughout my career.”
Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Joe Cole, the former Chelsea star whose endorsement helped Collins land the job, will also be taking a keen interest in the outcome of the match.
Collins said: “I’m in regular contact with Harry and he was watching one of our play-off games, commenting on some of the players and enjoying it.
“I played over 150 times with Harry at Sheffield United. He’s a proper football man who loves the game and he’s such a down-to-earth guy.
“Joe will definitely be tuning in. I spoke to him on Thursday and I’m sure he wishes he could have been part of this when he was finishing his career here.
“But he’s delighted for the club and pleased I’ve managed to take it on. He put his neck on the line for me and this is a small step towards showing he was right in the advice he gave the owner.
“The ex-Wolves captain Karl Henry – who I played with – has been tuning in and it’s great when guys you respect and
who know the game are saying favourable things about your team.” As the showpiece game of the second tier of North American football it will be shown nationally yet it doesn’t come with promotion to the star-studded MLS. That is a far cry from the rewards in English football’s equivalent, which is dubbed the richest game in football with a ticket to the Premier League. Collins won promotion to the top flight south of the border with Sunderland and Wolves but suffered play- off heartache after defeat in an epic penalty shoot out for Sheffield United against Huddersfield Town. He admits the drama of such a scenario would help add excitement but admits there is no appetite in America for it to be introduced. Instead, top-flight places go to those clubs spending big – such as David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Collins insists that won’t detract from the sense of achievement if he triumphs.
The current club shares its name and logo with the original Tampa Bay Rowdies, who were active from 1975 until 1993 and attracted overseas stars such as Rodney Marsh.
And Collins is adamant they will be back in the top flight soon enough.
He said: “I was fortunate that I was twice promoted by winning the title but I lost a play-off final with Sheffield United against Huddersfield on penalties and it was soul destroying.
“But when you come out here and you’re part of the sport scene you make your peace with the fact there’s no promotion or relegation.
“My son doesn’t understand it and a lot of the people in Britain find it difficult to comprehend.
“I get that because promotion and relegation creates the best drama and competition.
“But while there isn’t the same pressure from outside inf luences, the pressure, disappointment and elation comes from inside and your desire to do well.
“If we are victorious it will be the same feeling inwardly and the sense of achievement and justification for all the hard work will feel the same.
“The Rowdies are one of the most iconic teams in America. One day they will be in the MLS because they will add value wherever they go.”