Collins relishes dream game

He gets the chance to fulfil a lifelong ambition tomorrow, when he lines up against his boyhood team in the final tour game at Rugby Park.

Don't talk to Collins about loyal support – he is up there with the best after following 'Killie' all over Scotland as a youngster.

He said: "I'm a diehard Kilmarnock fan, so it's a dream to play them to be honest.

"I've watched Kilmarnock since I was six. I grew up 10 minutes from the ground and I was a season ticket holder for a good 10 years.

"One season, I only missed three games home and away.

"My dad, who's a chartered accountant, is currently heavily involved working with Kilmarnock and he's a diehard Kilmarnock fan too.

"I went home to watch them in a couple of games at the end of last season.

"The pitch was looking brilliant and it's a good stadium, so that's the game I'm most looking forward to."

Troon-born Collins moved to England with Sunderland after spells with Queen's Park and Dumbarton.

But despite 99 league games spread across the two clubs, the 6ft 3ins stopper never got the chance to play at his beloved Rugby Park.

He said: "It's great to go back there and play – I've never played at Rugby Park so that will be amazing. I'm really looking forward to that game, it will be brilliant.

"I've never played against them – I played for them when I was maybe 13 or 14 in Academy games and I went back to train with them the pre-season before I signed for Sunderland."

"I know a few of the lads from that time, and although I don't keep in touch, they're nice lads."

Wolves thought they had faced their toughest opposition when they played Motherwell on Wednesday.

Kilmarnock might have only finished second bottom to Motherwell's third, but Collins is convinced they will be just as tricky.

He said: "Not so much last season, but in the last three years they have been brilliant. They have really over-achieved and they have strengthened again.

"When I was last back home in Scotland, I watched a video of them and they have been in the SPL since 1993, so they're really well established now.

"When I was a wee boy, I never knew what the SPL was like with Kilmarnock in it but now they're established, they're a top six club in Scotland.

"You only have to look at the set-up with the hotel outside the stadium – it's impressive.

"They're certainly a great club to play for and I'm so glad I'm getting the chance to go and play."