'Special' Nathan Collins set to be at fore-front of Premier League manager's thoughts 

New Clarets boss Vincent Kompany will be anxious to cement him into his backline now without the departed axis of James Tarkowski and Ben Mee.

Nathan Collins of Republic of Ireland after the UEFA Nations League B group 1 match between Ukraine and Republic of Ireland at LKS Stadium in Lodz, Poland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Different Ireland games are producing different heroes and the mantle Michael Obafemi carried at the weekend now sits easily on the broad shoulders of Nathan Collins.

Seasoned observers – including his former Stoke City teammate James McClean – traced the elevation from the defender’s teens. They just weren’t anticipating one of the best goals in Irish football history acting as his catalyst for stardom.