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James Collins has come a long way since the darkest day of his career to date.<\/p>\nJames Collins has come a long way since the darkest day of his career to date.<\/p>\n
In March 2016, Collins \u2013 then on loan at Northampton from Shrewsbury \u2013 was banned from all British racecourses, along with MK Dons midfielder Samir Carruthers, after being photographed apparently urinating on a balcony at Cheltenham Festival.<\/p>\n
On the pitch, the former Aston Villa trainee has worked his way via spells with Burton, Shrewsbury, Swindon, Hibernian, Northampton and Crawley to Luton, where his goals are currently fueling a League One promotion charge.<\/p>\n
Now 28 and hoping to be handed a senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2020 qualifying double-header against Gibraltar and Georgia, Collins believes he has learned from his mistakes and is a better man and footballer for it.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI have grown up a lot over the last few years. Obviously, like everyone else, I have made mistakes along the way and learned from them and matured into a man, really.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a young family now, which always helps, and you have to grow up because it\u2019s not just me that I\u2019m supporting now, I\u2019ve got a family to support as well, so you can\u2019t really afford to slip up anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely think that\u2019s helped me on and off the pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins\u2019 20 goals this season have helped promoted Luton to establish a five-point lead at the top of the table and caught new Ireland boss Mick McCarthy\u2019s eye at a time in his career when the former Ireland youth international feared his chance had gone.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe caliber of strikers that Ireland have had over the years, I always knew you maybe had to be Championship and above.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had to work my way up from the bottom and I\u2019m really fortunate that the gaffer has given me a chance this year of being in League One.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins faces a battle if he is to get the nod with Sheffield United front man David McGoldrick vying for a return to the international stage after losing his form and, as a result, his place in the squad.<\/p>\n
McGoldrick, 31, was released by Ipswich at the end of last season and with little interest in acquiring his services after a succession of niggling injuries, agreed to a trail at Bramall Lane and won a one-year deal which has since been extended by a further two.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI went on trial at Sheffield United and I think that\u2019s what I needed. It was like a kick up the backside to show me where I was and proved why I hadn\u2019t been selected for my country.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy form hasn\u2019t been good enough. Now I have got the oomph back and I am enjoying playing my football again.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGoldrick\u2019s absence from the Ireland squad during the latter days of Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s tenure sparked rumors of a fall-out between the two, but the striker was quick to play down the suggestion.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cEvery player wants to play and I\u2019m no different. I wasn\u2019t happy that I wasn\u2019t playing but there was no fall-out.\u201d<\/p>\n