Nathan Collins: 'I'm not seeing many positives right now because we’re in the gutter'

Ireland captain Collins said it was heartbreaking to lose the World Cup playoff semi-final to Czechia after his side played so well

WORLD OF HURT: Nathan Collins said it was frustrating to concede a set piece equaliser to Czechia. Pic: Ben Brady, Inpho

Being down in the gutter can obscure the view ahead but dejected captain Nathan Collins insists World Cup heartache can inspire this Ireland team.

The wounds were audible in his voice at squandering a two-goal lead in Czechia, as well as the psychological advantage in the shootout, to bow out of the hunt at the playoff semi-final stage.

That the crossbar and post were rattled and the hosts goalkeeper Matěj Kovář was busier than Caoimhín Kelleher heightens the sense of regret at a tie that slipped away.

Ireland will have a dead rubber against North Macedonia on Tuesday at the same time as Czechia host Denmark in the decider. Ireland’s World Cup drought will be a minimum of 26 years.

A May trip to Spain for a fringe squad is to be followed by friendlies against Qatar and joint World Cup hosts Canada. Then, it’s Uefa Nations League fixtures, twice each against Israel, Austria and Kosovo.

Belfast will be the destination for the Euro 2028 draw on Sunday, December 6, determining the qualifying schedule between March and November 2027. Ireland may not need to progress on the pitch as two automatic spots are available among the four co-hosts.

All of that seemed a world away from the mind of Collins in the aftermath of Thursday’s dejection.

Collins was a colossus for the majority of the 120 minutes but took collective responsibility for the concession of the equaliser, allowing Wolves defender Ladislav Krejčí creep in at the near post to bundle his header over the line.

“I‘m not seeing many positives right now because we’re in the gutter,” said the Brentford centre-back.

“It does hurt. Conceding from a set-piece always hurts. We attack set-pieces really well but defending them is something we need to improve.

“It’s frustrating to concede a goal like that.” 

Ireland lost control of the game almost immediately after an own-goal by Kovář. Krejčí seemed to be going nowhere until Ryan Manning grabbed the back of his jersey, presenting nearby referee Glenn Nyberg with an easy decision.

“I thought the way we started the game and the way we went about was unreal,” added the skipper.

“We took we took our two goals really well but the timing of conceding the first affects the game a lot. That’s tough to take.

“We defended well in the second half and didn’t give them much. Caoimhín didn’t have much to do.

“Maybe we could have put more pressure on them, take momentum off them. It’s just heartbreaking to lose on penalties after such a good performance.” 

After three straight wins, Collins doesn’t feel the marginal loss against another higher-seeded team should alter the team’s evolution. The FAI handed manager Heimir Hallgrímsson a contract extension in advance of the one-off tie.

“What we’ve created, the environment created with the fans and country, has been special,” added his captain.

“That’s something we need to keep growing, to get even better at.

“That can help us get better on the pitch. We can push that and get fans to more tournaments.

“We still have to play Tuesday’s match; nearly a thank you to the fans for what they’ve given us.

“The motivation has to be the same. We’ve to win to keep improving as a team and country. Any match we play at home is a big game.”

Gutted the way it ended. Fans and boys immense all evening !!

Appreciate everyone’s messages. And thank you to the medical staff who acted so quickly to help me. On the mend 🍀💚🤍

We go again COYBIG

— Sam Szmodics (@SamSzmodics) March 27, 2026

Meanwhile, Sammie Szmodics was transferred to hospital yesterday having sustained a head injury during extra-time of the playoff.

Following further tests and a period of observation, he has been safely discharged, and will continue his recovery under the care of the Republic of Ireland and Derby County medical teams.