Coleman has helped to ease weight of captaincy

Captaining one's country is a privilege. But wearing that armband can also be a heavy cross to bear even in the best of times.

Thankfully for the Republic of Ireland's skipper Nathan Collins, he has Séamus Coleman to help him carry the burden.

None more so than in this massive week for Irish football when the Boys in Green head to Prague with hopes of keeping the World Cup qualification fire burning bright.

On Thursday, Collins will lead Ireland out into a hostile Fortuna Arena to take on Czechia in the eagerly anticipated play-off semi-final.

And the Brentford centre-back is grateful that long-time former Ireland captain Coleman won his fitness battle to make the squad.

The Donegal man missed last September's two opening qualifiers. But his return for the last four group games coincided with the most epic of denouements as Ireland snatched a play-off place at the death in Budapest.

The Everton full-back's influence was clearly visible on the other members of the back line in the games against Portugal and the famous night in Hungary.

Particularly for a young captain like Collins. From the 24-year-old's vantage point, Coleman's presence on and off the pitch has made his own life much easier.

"It probably helped me," he told RTÉ Sport at FAI HQ.

"The way Séamus is as a character, as a person, his effect he has on the squad here is huge. I think he brought a lot of belief into the squad, even into myself as well, as sometimes obviously we were down.

"But he has supported me a lot. He's taken over a lot of roles which can help me focus on my game.

"He's kind of let me settle into this role a bit better. So he's helped me a lot and to have someone in the squad like him is crucial for where we want to be."

Coleman and Robbie Brady are the only veterans of Ireland's last tournament adventure at Euro 2016.

For most of the younger generation, a night like Prague on Thursday is surely the biggest game of their careers to date.

"It's definitely up there," Collins said.

"I’m just excited, it’s why you play football. It’s why you want to represent Ireland, it’s why you have those dreams of doing stuff, for games like this. I’m just excited, I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait for it."

The Czechia game is coming at a time when the defender has just got back into the swing of things for Brentford after a tricky February.

Last month got off on the wrong foot as he picked up a "bad knock" that prevented him from starting at Aston Villa.

Amid added scrutiny over his form, Collins went on to be benched by manager Keith Andrews for fixtures against Newcastle, Arsenal and Burnley before returning to the starting line-up in their last three league outings.

"It's a tough thing mentally and it’s challenging. But especially when you’re now club captain and you’re in that position," he admitted.

"It's a different role and you have to find that balance of being frustrated and being annoyed, but also still being a club captain, still pushing the team and wanting the best for everyone around you. It was a new challenge for me and I’ve learned a lot from it."

Coming into this week, an added bonus of the unexpected break in games is that he's slightly less jaded by the rigours of Premier League life.

"In a weird way, it was nearly refreshing," he said.

"I played a lot of football over the last two years, and then when it was taken away from you, you have that hunger again.

"The reason you go to England as a kid and the reason you do all this is to play football, be on the pitch. So it gave me a bit of hunger again. I was desperate to get back in the squad. As what we're chasing for at Brentford, what we're aspiring to do, it gives me more energy and I feel good in myself.

"I feel like I'm in a good place and I'm excited now to bring that over here and what we're aspiring to do as Ireland and what we want to qualify for and try to bring it all together."

There has been banter behind the scenes at Brentford with the sizeable Danish contingent, given that Ireland would face Denmark at Aviva Stadium next Tuesday for a winner-takes-all final should both countries come through their respective semis on Thursday.

Collins isn't getting ahead of himself however with that tough task against the Czechs on the horizon. But that being said, he is feeling quietly confident that they will meet the challenge head on.

"I think there is a belief. I think there is a strong motivation and an excitement. We all realise we can do something. I don't think anyone thinks we are already there. If we can carry what we've done since those games we've a a really good chance to do something."

Watch Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm on Thursday, 26 March. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

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