Luton hotshot James Collins said he felt at ease in the Championship after netting on his second-tier debut, but says he still needs to be better after Republic of Ireland compatriot Darren Randolph denied him a winner against Middlesbrough.
The striker’s first goal of the season was enough to give Town a point in Friday night’s 3-3 draw and got him off the mark instantly in a division he previously never featured in.
In contrast, it took Collins ten games to find the net last term, though he still scored 25 in 48 appearances as Town won the League One title.
After his 85th minute poacher’s goal gave Town a deserved share of the spoils on Friday, the 28-year-old said: “Whatever level you play at, to get off the mark in the first game is always good for a striker and it just so happens to be that this time it’s in the Championship. It’s my first one in the Championship and I’m hoping that it’s not going to be my last.
“I just tried keeping a cool head and hitting the target it was a little bit easier perhaps it might have looked because there was a big gap but I managed to sneak it in the corner and I was delighted.
“I feel quite comfortable. Obviously, they were great Championship defenders, they were big guys and they play good football in a really good team, but I thought I managed to score a goal and get a couple of chances, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
However, Collins did have one more chance in the dying moments to snatch all three points, but his blast was beaten away brilliantly by Boro’s stopper Randolph, who Collins will have faced before in training camps for the Republic of Ireland.
The striker said: “I thought I caught it really well but maybe I caught it too well. Sometimes if you miss hit them they go in. I’ve caught it well and it was going in the top corner but the keeper has made a great save.
“He’s a top class goalie and he’s Ireland’s number one and he is that for a reason. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and that just goes to show that we are going to come up against goalkeepers like that this season. Maybe your finishing has got to be a bit better.”
