Nathan Collins interview in Manchester City programme | OneFootball

Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins discusses captaining Republic of Ireland in Séamus Coleman's absence and how his leadership style compares to others he has played with in The Long Read, which features in the matchday programme for Tuesday night's Premier League game against Manchester City, available in and around Gtech Community Stadium and online now.

In the extended interview, the 23-year-old - who is the only player in Thomas Frank's side to play every minute of the Premier League season so far - also talks about establishing himself with the Bees, finding a home in west London and more.

"It was all a bit surreal,” Collins said about leading out his country for the first time, a feat he achieved for a UEFA Nations League game against Greece in October.

"I tried to control my emotions as much as I could so it wouldn’t affect my game.

“Before the game, I think I did a good job of that in terms of staying relaxed, focusing on my job and doing what I do normally as a normal player in the squad.

“After, when I talked to my family, I was able to express the emotions a bit more and enjoy the emotions of what I’d just achieved.

“Some of my family were crying in the stands. If I looked at them, I’d have probably started crying myself.

“To have that opportunity to play for Ireland and captain my country is the biggest honour I’ve had in my life.”

This issue is available to buy around the ground before the City game, or online at shop.brentfordfc.com.

Tuesday night's game is dedicated to the Heart of West London campaign. Scan the CPQR code on the front cover of the matchday programme to learn how to perform CPR.

ICYMI: Buzz Bee has been taken by the Beekeeper - but who's under the mask? It's your job, along with the Brentford squad, to follow the clues across the Bees' 2024/25 programme covers to try and find out.

On each programme cover, members of the squad will be following riddles across west London, which will eventually lead them to the club's mascot - and the identity of the Beekeeper - on the final day of the season.

Clues and hints - big and small - will be scattered across each programme cover for you, the supporters, to work out who has snatched Buzz.

And, if you do, you could be in with a chance of winning a shirt signed by the Brentford first-team squad. So make sure to buy a copy, keep your eyes peeled, and study every last corner of the cover!

Submit your answers on X with the hashtag #WhoTookBuzz, along with the name of your suspect. All correct answers will be put in a draw at the end of the campaign, with the winner securing the prize.

Programmes will be available inside and outside the ground - as well as from the Bees Merchandise Kiosk and the Bees Superstore - our sellers will be accepting contactless payments only.

Programmes can also be delivered directly to your door with a season-long subscription, which can be purchased for £120.

The subscription includes all 19 of the Bees' Premier League home games, as well as any cup games for the first team at Gtech Community Stadium this season.

Programmes will be sent via first class the day before each fixture. Please expect 3-5 working days to receive your order. This is UK delivery only.

Individual issues will be available in-store and online for those needing to fill any gaps in their collection.

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