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BFC's Collins checks-in

Football : 'It's like moving from one English club to another'
Last Updated 02 February 2016, 20:01 IST

Being a regular fixture in English football is no easy job, even if it’s in the lower divisions. With academies producing quality players year after year, one needs to be on top of his game if he is to make a name for himself in the heartland of football. And one such player is Michael Collins.

Signed by Bengaluru FC after an untimely departure of their midfielder Joshua Walker to injury, Collins, 29, said that he will not be expecting an easy run in the I-League even though his resume shows clubs like Huddersfield Town, Scunthorpe United and Oxford United in the ‘teams played for’ coloumn.

“To be honest, I am not expecting an easy journey. I have known about it (the league) through Josh,” said Collins who has spent close to 12 years in English football.

“Lads here have given me a fair idea. I saw the video footage of their previous game against East Bengal match and, to be honest, I was surprised. The quality is good and I don’t see me having a stroll in the park,” he added. Coming through the Huddelsfield Town Academy, Collins went on to play for their senior team for close to six years.

He then moved to Scunthorpe United in 2010 but could never recreate the same form as an injury to his Achilles tendon sidelined the midfielder for a long time. Though he had a small stint with Oxford United before packing his bag for India, Collins assured that he is not the one who would dwell over his past.

“I am happy with how my career has gone. Maybe I was a bit unlucky with an injury at the wrong age (24). I was looking to go up and the injury kind of held me down. But that’s football and it happens. You take it on the chin,” he opined.

While he admitted that his knowledge about Indian football was limited to word of mouth, the six-foot tall midfielder said that his first impression in Bengaluru had reassured his decision of moving to India.

“.... And I haven’t been disappointed. The guys here love the game, they’re passionate about football. The gaffer here works more so like Appleton, in a very professional manner. So basically, it’s like going from an English club to another English club, but in India,” added Collins who last played under Michael Appleton at Oxford United, something he believes could have triggered this move.

A player who likes to get on the ball and set the play from the back, Collins said that he will be playing in his prefered role in the BFC setup too.

“It’s more like what Josh used to do here, sitting in front of the back four, getting on the ball, getting those passes and that’s perfect for me,” he stressed stating that the target would be to adapt to the conditions and let his football do the talking.

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(Published 02 February 2016, 20:01 IST)

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