While he did not make his Premier League debut at the weekend, Troy Parrott made a major stride in his career by being named on the bench for the first time in the league for the game against Everton.
The 17-year old looks more than capable of making the step up, having dominated at underage level over the past 12 months or so. His four goal performance in the UEFA Youth League two weeks ago was just the latest feather in his cap, and he looks set to take another step forward in the coming days.
Parrott has been included in Mick McCarthy's provisional Ireland for the upcoming games against New Zealand and Denmark. Many assumed he would not make the final squad, and would instead link up with the U21 side, as was the case in September of this year.
However, speaking to the FAI website McCarthy confirmed that Parrott would be part of the squad for those games:
I will announce the final squad for the friendly with New Zealand and the European Championship qualifier with Denmark on Thursday but I can confirm that Troy will be on the list.
I spoke to Stephen Kenny at our monthly manager’s meeting in Abbotstown on Monday and told him that Troy and Aaron Connolly will be with the senior squad next week.
Stephen will also announce his squad this week for the Under-21 games against Armenia and Sweden so it was important to let him know what I am doing ahead of that.
Troy has been pushing for this step-up for some time now and I look forward to seeing him on the training ground ahead of the New Zealand game. I hope he pushes me to include him in that game.
McCarthy also gave an update on some of the players who were an injury concern ahead of those fixtures.
Glenn Whelan and Matt Doherty were both withdrawn from their club games over the weekend, while Darren Randolph's absence at Middlesbrough continued. The Ireland manager believes all three should be fit for the Denmark game.
I have been in touch with all three players and they assure me they are confident of being fit to play against Denmark.
Glenn felt a twinge in his hamstring but he expects to be fine and available to link up with the squad on Sunday as planned.
Matt has told me the decision to take him off against Arsenal was a precaution more than anything else while Darren continues to make progress with his thigh strain and expects to be available.
As a result, I will name Kieran O’Hara and Mark Travers alongside Darren on Thursday and Caoimhin Kelleher will be available to Stephen for his squad.
