Neill William Collins (born 2 September 1983) is a Scottish football defender. He is currently on loan at Championship side Preston North End from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

[edit] Career

Collins, born in Troon, Scotland, began his career with Scottish amateur club, Queen's Park, moving to Dumbarton after two seasons. During his stay at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Collins became popular with the fans and had a spell as captain and was key to the Sons' battle to stay in the Second Division. During his time there he had trials with Falkirk, Hibernian, Rangers and Charlton Athletic.^[1][2]

He left Dumbarton for Sunderland in August 2004,^[3] for a fee of £25,000, and made 11 appearances during the first season as the club won promotion to the Premier League as champions. He never appeared in the top flight for them though, after being loaned out to, first, League One Hartlepool United,^[4] then Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United,^[5] during the 2005/06 season.

He returned to the Sunderland team at the start of the following campaign, but was forced to play in the unfamiliar role of right-back after injuries to team-mates Stephen Wright and Nyron Nosworthy. The defender was soon sent out on loan by the club's recently-appointed manager Roy Keane, whereupon he reunited with his former boss Mick McCarthy at Wolves.^[6]

After his loan expired, Collins joined Wolves permanently in January 2007 for a fee of £150,000.^[7] He was a regular starter for the rest of the season as the club reached the Championship play-offs. The 2007–08 season saw the side miss out on the play-offs on goal difference.

Collins started 2008–09 strongly with Wolves but was knocked out of the first team with the loan arrival of Michael Mancienne from Chelsea. When Mancienne returned to Chelsea in the New Year, Collins returned to the side, partnering Richard Stearman. He contributed several important goals during this period, but was soon ousted from the side again after receiving a red card for dissent at Reading and the addition of Scottish international Christophe Berra. He remained out of the side for the remainder of the season as the club were promoted to the Premier League as champions and was transfer listed by the club in July 2009.^[8]

He is currently on loan at Championship side Preston North End until 4 January 2010.^[9]

After failing to make a senior appearance for the Scottish National side, Collins has declared himself eligible to play for Wales, qualifying through a grandparent. As of yet Wales manager John Toshack hasn't shown an interest in the young centre half, but it can only be a matter of time before the national side come calling.

[edit] Honours

• Football League Championship (II): 2005, 2009

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Neill Collins career stats at Soccerbase
• Scouting report at The Guardian