Collins confident Wales can spoil Croker party
Collins, a revelation at left-back for Sunderland since Roy Keane’s arrival on Wearside, says the Welsh are confident they can ruin the Republic’s big day.
Steve Staunton’s side needed a last-gasp winner away to minnows San Marino last month, and Collins said: “I think we can go there pretty confident after the draw we got in Northern Ireland.
“We have some decent players in the squad, matchwinners like Jason Koumas, Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy. I don’t think there’s much pressure on the lads. We’re probably favourites to be beaten on the day, so the pressure will be on them with an 80,000 crowd on their backs.
“They scraped a result against San Marino, so the pressure is all on them and we can go there hoping to at least get a draw.
“The San Marino game has given us hope because they only managed to get a last-minute winner.
“We have San Marino on Wednesday, so hopefully we can put in a convincing result at the Millennium Stadium.”
Sunderland manager Keane acted as a mediator to help heal Collins’ rift with Wales boss John Toshack.
Collins, 26, admitted: “I’m delighted to be back and I’ve put it all behind me. We sorted it out. I played the 90 minutes against Northern Ireland and it felt good to be back in the squad.
“John came over and said, ‘OK, let’s put it behind us.’ He’d phoned me and we had a good chat and it was a case of pretending nothing had happened.
“The gaffer said John spoke to him in the players’ lounge here at Sunderland, and the gaffer said, ‘What’s gone on is between you and Danny, but he’s done well for me.’ John and I are grown men and we put it behind us.
“I’m hoping I might get a run-out at Croke Park. A few of the Irish lads here at Sunderland have said it’s a hell of a stadium, so I’m looking forward to getting out there.
“It’ll be good to be part of the atmosphere. We’re helping to make a bit of football history — it’ll be nice to be the first team to play there.’ Collins, converted from centre-back at Sunderland, confessed Manchester United star Giggs was a boyhood hero — when he was a left winger himself.
He said: “Ryan is a nice, down to earth lad who’s quiet and keeps himself to himself. He was one of my heroes when I was a kid.
“In my early days I was a left midfielder. I think I’ve adjusted to playing left-back and done quite well there.”
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