After Ireland's spirited showed against Portugal, Nathan Collins is hoping the energy from that display in Lisbon can be taken forward to Tuesday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Armenia at the Aviva Stadium.
In the end defeat was Ireland's lot in the Portuguese capital, with Ruben Neves' powerful header giving the hosts a narrow win.
And so at the halfway point of World Cup qualifying, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side are in desperate need of points, prompting the manager to say in the pre-match press conference that the result is everything against Armenia.
"However we do it, I would take a sh**ty game and win 1-0. Yeah, this is a result game, 100%," said the Icelander.
It's five weeks since that horror show in Yerevan and Collins, speaking to RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue, is keen to make amends.
"It's a game that did not signify who we are as a team, as a nation, as a collective," said the Irish skipper.
Saturday's qualifier at the Estadio Jose Alvalade was a definite improvement, with Collins remarking: "The performance against Portugal showed who we are as players and as a team.
And the centre-back now wants a greater expression of that in front of our fans.
"It showed that belief and that togetherness and that has to carry through to Tuesday because there will be ups and downs on Tuesday. Armenia put in a good performance against Hungary and made it difficult for them, just as we did against Portugal. We have to take the positives from that and bring that togetherness, bring the fans with us, be as one. When we're like that I feel we can beat anyone.
"I don't think there is any reason we can't put in a top performance.
"At home we are such a menace when we are all together and that is what gives me belief and faith."
'Seven minutes wasn't nice': Ireland captain Nathan Collins on having to endure that added time against Portugal #rtesport #rtesoccer @IrelandFootball #COYBIG #IRLARM pic.twitter.com/HGItdZo3r6
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 13, 2025
At times this season, Collins has come in for some criticism while in the colours of Brentford, but the Leixlip native was a more assured presence against Portugal. He limited the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo's aerial threat and made an important block to deny Bernardo Silva in the opening half.
"I felt comfortable, I felt well drilled and I knew my role really well, in that how I can help people which makes me more comfortable on the pitch," he said.
"I knew I had players behind that were covering me so I could do certain actions that could help the team as in blocks and step outs, take Ronaldo out, take other strikers out. When we are all connected as an eleven it makes everyone feel and look like a better player."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Armenia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on an extended Game On programme on RTÉ 2fm.
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