Collins Praises Kelleher as Goalkeeper of Stature
Nathan Collins is thrilled at the idea of teaming up with Caoimhín Kelleher at Brentford next season, confidently stating that “Collins praises Kelleher as goalkeeper of stature.” The defender believes Kelleher’s arrival adds serious quality between the posts for the London side. The Irish goalkeeper, who recently left Liverpool in a £12.5 million move, had impressed during his time as backup to Alisson Becker, stepping up in key moments when called upon.
ICYMI: Ireland boss Hallgrimsson criticizes team’s ‘sloppy’ and ‘boring’ display
A High-Calibre Signing for Brentford
Speaking after Ireland’s goalless draw against Luxembourg on Tuesday, Collins shared his thoughts with RTÉ Sport, saying, “It’s great to be able to play with someone of that stature.” As Ireland’s captain, Collins is delighted to see Kelleher become a first-choice club keeper, something he believes the Cork native has long deserved. “What he’s done at Liverpool, especially in high-pressure games, is incredible. To now bring someone of that calibre into our club is huge. Building a connection with him on and off the pitch will be amazing for us,” Collins added.
Life After Thomas Frank
While it was Brentford boss Thomas Frank who secured Kelleher’s transfer, the Danish manager looks set to take the reins at Tottenham. Collins was full of praise for Frank’s impact on his own development, calling him “unbelievable.” He acknowledged it will be disappointing to lose such an influential figure but remains optimistic. “He’s helped shape me as a player over the last two seasons, but the club is strong. We have a great squad and the ability to keep bringing in top talent and maintain strong chemistry,” he said.
International Effort and Looking Ahead
During the match against Luxembourg, Collins nearly scored in the first half, only to see his header bounce off the woodwork. Reflecting on that moment, he said, “We want to be dangerous in every area. Set-pieces are huge for us. I tried to get a touch on Dara’s header and was unlucky.” After logging the most minutes of any Premier League player last season, Collins is now taking a well-earned break. However, his eyes are already on September’s World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia. “I can’t lie, I’m really excited. That home game against Hungary will be massive. We didn’t win both games this camp, but we stayed unbeaten. That’s the kind of momentum we want to build going forward,” he concluded.
