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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul O'Hehir

Stephen Kenny says Nathan Collins will learn from Jack Grealish challenge

Nathan Collins has been backed to learn from his kung-fu style challenge on Jack Grealish.

The Ireland and Wolves star was shown a straight red on Saturday after a brutal tackle on the Manchester City star.

Collins caught Grealish with a high challenge in the 33rd minute and, after the 3-0 Premier League defeat, waited in the tunnel to apologise to the England international.

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Collins will be back in action for Ireland in this Saturday's Nations League clash away to Scotland at Hampden Park.

And quizzed on the incident today, Ireland boss Stephen Kenny insists the 21-year-old’s confidence won’t be knocked.

“I haven't discussed it with him yet but I may do, between now and Saturday,” said Kenny ahead of the game.

“It is uncharacteristic of Nathan, he is quite disciplined. I am sure he will learn from it. I don't think it will (affect his confidence).”

Kenny has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the penultimate Nations League clash, with Andrew Omobamidele’s withdrawal yesterday the only squad change to date.

Ireland - who also host Armenia on Tuesday - can still finish second in the group if results go their way with Scotland also facing Ukraine tomorrow.

And Kenny has called for a strong finish to this campaign ahead of the November friendlies against Norway (home) and Malta (away).

The Euro 2024 qualifying draw takes place in Germany on October 9 and that will also shape the months to come with those games starting in March.

Kenny said: “Yes, we want to finish strong. I think the players were terrific in the last window.

“We had a mixed window, if you like. We started slowly and were disappointed and then we finished strongly.

“We did brilliantly against Scotland and the performance in the Ukraine. Both games against the Ukraine were very evenly contested. So this is a big game. A great game.

“Ireland against Scotland in the Nations League, in Hampden Park, a famous venue, we’re delighted to be going there.

“Scotland qualified for the European championships previously and have a lot of players playing in the high end of the Premier League.

“They are a very strong team and we are looking forward to playing against them, and we are getting better all the time, we definitely feel that.

“Against some of the top teams, we’ve played very well, against Portugal twice, Belgium and teams of that ilk so we are looking forward to the game on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Kenny sees Robbie Brady as a left wing-back after the Preston North End man made his eagerly awaited return to the squad this week.

“That's where he has been playing for a period and it's difficult to just shift into another position at international level.”

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