Gary Connaughton reporting from the Aviva Stadium
This time last year, it was difficult to get a sense of where Troy Parrott was heading in his career.
One of the most talented youth players to emerge from this country in a number of years, big things were expected of him when he made the move to Spurs at the age of 16. That hype only increased further when he made his international debut as a 17-year old.
Since then, he has experienced quite a few ups and downs in his career. His various loan moves at EFL level have produced mixed results, and a couple of big goals against Scotland and Lithuania aside, his Ireland career has yet to ignite in the manner many would have hoped for.
Now, he seems to prime to take the next step in his development.
His loan move to Excelsior Rotterdam this season was a huge success, scoring 17 goals and registering five assists in the Eredivisie. That run includes two hat-tricks in his last three appearances, and while his team would be relegated in a play-off at the weekend, the season could only be classified as a massive success from Parrott's perspective.
He would carry that form into Ireland's win over Hungary, coming off the bench to score a last gasp winner at the Aviva Stadium.
🇮🇪 2-1 🇭🇺
GOAL - Troy Parrott surely snatches victory for Ireland, with a late counter-attacking goal.
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👉 https://t.co/Sv0ZFHu5Ph pic.twitter.com/88jmr4GaVJ— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 4, 2024
READ HERE: Ireland WNT Player Ratings As Irish Hearts Broken Late In Stockholm
Troy Parrott ready to kick on after Dutch experience
Even accounting for his mixed results during his spells in the EFL, making the move to The Netherlands could not have been an easy decision for Troy Parrott. He was very much stepping out of his comfort zone by signing for a team on the continent.
In saying that, it has proven to be a massive success on both a personal and footballing level.
Speaking to the media after the win over Hungary, Parrott summed up how much his time in Dutch football has benefitted him.
Before I went over, I was questioning it a little bit because it’s a foreign country with a different language. I didn’t know what to expect, but as soon as I went there everyone speaks English and it’s not too different.
The football is different, but the lifestyle and the people are not too different...
I’ve loved it over there. It’s been everything I hoped would happen when I first decided to go over, so I’m buzzing...
A few people have asked me that (about the level) but it’s difficult to compare. There are obviously some really big clubs over there and then there are some middle and then some lower, so I don’t know how to compare it to the English leagues.
It’s a good league, there are good teams and good stadiums, so I loved it over there...
I feel like it's more technical over there, you have to use your brain a lot more rather than just being physical. It's suited me and how the season has gone has shown that.
4 June 2024; Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Hungary at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Parrott certainly seemed more suited to the style of play in The Netherlands, something that has led to him being linked with a number of big Dutch clubs in recent times.
He will return to Spurs this summer, where he still has another 12 months remaining on his current deal (as well as the option for a further year). It remains to be seen where he will play his football next season, although his form in the Eredivisie is sure to have opened his mind to possibilities outside of England.
As for his international career, there is no doubt that Ireland will benefit from his experiences at Excelsior. Parrott has never quite managed to nail down a place in the team since first making his debut in 2019, even if he has already amassed 22 caps at this early stage in his career.
He will be looking to change that under the next permanent manager, whomever that may be. You get the sense that the striker would not mind seeing John O'Shea get the gig on a permanent basis, with the player hoping that this win can help turnaround what has been a difficult period for Irish football.
I think it's big for us. We played a lot of difficult teams recently so to get a win is nice and hopefully we can get another big performance against Portugal...
I feel like we’ve got a really good team and some really good players as well. Obviously results have been difficult to come by for us, but if you really look at the games we have played, it’s very rare that we lose 2-0, 3-0, 4-0.
We’re always in games, results just haven’t swung our way. Hopefully now we can push on and start getting some wins...
I missed the last camp so this is my first time being in with (O'Shea). Even when he was in with the last manager I loved working with him. To see him here is nice...
I like working with him so we’ll see what happens.
Whether O'Shea is the man to lead Ireland forward or not, whoever does get the gig would have their job made a lot easier if they were to have a fully firing Troy Parrott at their disposal.
Irish supporters will be hoping that this season will be the one that finally allows him to blossom into the player that so many hoped he would become.
SEE ALSO: Ireland Player Ratings As Team Shows Signs Of Life With Hungary Win
