Luton Town's Republic of Ireland striker James Collins joined Off The Ball to discuss his incredible season, his PFA team of the year award and how his call-up made him the "happiest man on the planet."
Town's striker has had an incredibly varied career - playing under Pat Fenlon at Hibernian, under Paolo di Canio at Swindon and experiencing great upheaval at Luton this year with the departure of Nathan Jones.
However, Collins has seen his way through the storm to be named in the League One Team of the Year, scoring 24 times for the Kenilworth Road club on a promotion push. But it appears that it was the call up to Mick McCarthy's that appears the highlight of the young striker's season.
"It was an absolute honour," said Collins about finding out of McCarthy's interest.
"When I found out that the Ireland staff were coming to the games, I just tried to do the best that I could, as well as not to change too much and just sticking to my game.
"I think every time they came to watch me, I managed to score! That was a positive for me."
But it was also fear of being dropped that provided a little impetus to Collins, whose tenacity shows not just in his career trajectory, but the way he speaks of his journey so far.
"Once I got into that preliminary squad, I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. But once I made the final cut for the qualifiers, there was not a happier man on the planet than me because I have started from the bottom, worked my way up.
"To be recognised by your country and to get that call-up for the first time was such an honour and it was a fantastic experience being with the squad.
"I saw how high-quality players go about their training and their day - it was such a great experience."
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