TROY PARROTT IS the golden boy of Irish football right now so, naturally, the spotlight has a powerful glare.
The FAI announced details of the annual international awards this week and the Dubliner is shortlisted in three of the categories.
Senior men’s player of the year? That will be Troy.
Young player of the year? That will be Troy.
Goal of the year? That will be Troy (the one for the hat-trick against Hungary in Budapest, in case you were wondering).
While they’re at it, the FAI might just be better off wrapping up next year’s award on that front after his sensational solo run and finish against Austria at the start of last month.
Troy Parrott in training on Wednesday. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
If there is a better one in green it is going to take something special. Hopefully Katie McCabe takes that as the gauntlet being thrown down and produces something even more historic in Carla Ward’s side’s upcoming World Cup play-off with Poland. The Chelsea star has a goal on the shortlist for this year, too.
For Parrott, he followed that wonder goal against Austria a few days later with a penalty against Israel behind closed doors in Backa Topola, and that is the last time he’s savoured the feeling of finding the net.
Such are the standards that have been set by Real Betis’ €20 million striker, a run of eight games without a goal since that last international window is understandably worth raising.
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Is he frustrated?
How is his confidence?
What’s his mood like?
Does he need a cuddle?
Republic of Ireland assistant boss John O’Shea was faced with three of the above questions on Wednesday. No better man to bring perspective and remind everyone to cool the jets.
Troy Parrott celebrates his stunning first goal against Austria last month. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“The one thing about Troy is when you see him in training, you won’t be worried about his workload. It’s always a case of strikers wanting to be scoring goals. He’s gone into his new club, he’s played plenty of football and listen, we’re more than happy with Troy.
“It’s a fantastic move for him and if it takes him that bit more time to settle in and get goals, the one thing you know is it won’t be from a lack of effort and work rate and how he’s going about his training,” O’Shea said.
“Hopefully he might have saved one or two goals for us. Let’s wait and see.”
Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini referenced after a recent La Liga game that part of the reason why Parrott had been rotated in his starting XI after the last international window was because the Dubliner “played all four games for his national team” against Israel (twice), Kosovo and Austria.
Heimir Hallgrímsson responded to the inference about Parrott’s workload last week when he named his squad for the final double header of this Nations League campaign away to Austria on Saturday and home to Kosovo on Tuesday.
“I don’t see him running more in Spain than he has done [previously]. We’ll look at this and if we need to rest him, we’ll rest him. That has always been our role. We’re not overloading any players. We haven’t had many injuries in the national team,” Hallgrímsson said.
Real Betis boss Manuel Pellgrini (left) with Troy Parrott (far right). Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
“[Pellegrini] should look further back because Troy played every game for AZ [Alkmaar], 90 minutes every game, fully fit. He played every game 90 minutes, so I don’t know if they’re running more in Spain, but that’s his strength.
“He’s been able to play every league game 90 minutes and 120 minutes when it’s needed, and then the games for us, so that wasn’t a factor. But maybe it is.”
These microdramas should not become anything more significant than that. While Parrott has dipped in and out in La Liga (four starts, five appearances off bench and two unused) he has led the line all four of Betis’ Champions League games. They have nine points and are in the mix for automatic qualification beyond the league phase, a playoff spot seems the bare minimum.
O’Shea pushed back against the suggestion Parrott was in the middle of a tough period settling in.
Troy Parrott (left) in action with Borussia Dortmund's Jobe Bellingham during a Champions League fixture. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
One month without a goal does not constitute a crisis, even if he didn’t go longer than three games without scoring in action for club and country last season.
“I don’t know if it’s such a difficult time. He’s after getting a fantastic move to a Champions League team, in a new league,” O’Shea said.
“There’s a bit of adaptation to that for him and obviously the club as well in the new environment that he’s in. We’re absolutely delighted with Troy.”
As he continues to find his rhythm in Seville, Parrott is back among familiar faces as he continues to thrive amid a new kind of expectation, one he has thoroughly embraced in the 12 months since almost dragging Ireland to a World Cup.
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Troy Parrott microdramas add layer of scrutiny for Ireland's golden boy
TROY PARROTT IS the golden boy of Irish football right now so, naturally, the spotlight has a powerful glare.
The FAI announced details of the annual international awards this week and the Dubliner is shortlisted in three of the categories.
Senior men’s player of the year? That will be Troy.
Young player of the year? That will be Troy.
Goal of the year? That will be Troy (the one for the hat-trick against Hungary in Budapest, in case you were wondering).
While they’re at it, the FAI might just be better off wrapping up next year’s award on that front after his sensational solo run and finish against Austria at the start of last month.
If there is a better one in green it is going to take something special. Hopefully Katie McCabe takes that as the gauntlet being thrown down and produces something even more historic in Carla Ward’s side’s upcoming World Cup play-off with Poland. The Chelsea star has a goal on the shortlist for this year, too.
For Parrott, he followed that wonder goal against Austria a few days later with a penalty against Israel behind closed doors in Backa Topola, and that is the last time he’s savoured the feeling of finding the net.
Such are the standards that have been set by Real Betis’ €20 million striker, a run of eight games without a goal since that last international window is understandably worth raising.
Is he frustrated?
How is his confidence?
What’s his mood like?
Does he need a cuddle?
Republic of Ireland assistant boss John O’Shea was faced with three of the above questions on Wednesday. No better man to bring perspective and remind everyone to cool the jets.
“The one thing about Troy is when you see him in training, you won’t be worried about his workload. It’s always a case of strikers wanting to be scoring goals. He’s gone into his new club, he’s played plenty of football and listen, we’re more than happy with Troy.
“It’s a fantastic move for him and if it takes him that bit more time to settle in and get goals, the one thing you know is it won’t be from a lack of effort and work rate and how he’s going about his training,” O’Shea said.
“Hopefully he might have saved one or two goals for us. Let’s wait and see.”
Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini referenced after a recent La Liga game that part of the reason why Parrott had been rotated in his starting XI after the last international window was because the Dubliner “played all four games for his national team” against Israel (twice), Kosovo and Austria.
Heimir Hallgrímsson responded to the inference about Parrott’s workload last week when he named his squad for the final double header of this Nations League campaign away to Austria on Saturday and home to Kosovo on Tuesday.
“I don’t see him running more in Spain than he has done [previously]. We’ll look at this and if we need to rest him, we’ll rest him. That has always been our role. We’re not overloading any players. We haven’t had many injuries in the national team,” Hallgrímsson said.
“[Pellegrini] should look further back because Troy played every game for AZ [Alkmaar], 90 minutes every game, fully fit. He played every game 90 minutes, so I don’t know if they’re running more in Spain, but that’s his strength.
“He’s been able to play every league game 90 minutes and 120 minutes when it’s needed, and then the games for us, so that wasn’t a factor. But maybe it is.”
These microdramas should not become anything more significant than that. While Parrott has dipped in and out in La Liga (four starts, five appearances off bench and two unused) he has led the line all four of Betis’ Champions League games. They have nine points and are in the mix for automatic qualification beyond the league phase, a playoff spot seems the bare minimum.
O’Shea pushed back against the suggestion Parrott was in the middle of a tough period settling in.
One month without a goal does not constitute a crisis, even if he didn’t go longer than three games without scoring in action for club and country last season.
“I don’t know if it’s such a difficult time. He’s after getting a fantastic move to a Champions League team, in a new league,” O’Shea said.
“There’s a bit of adaptation to that for him and obviously the club as well in the new environment that he’s in. We’re absolutely delighted with Troy.”
As he continues to find his rhythm in Seville, Parrott is back among familiar faces as he continues to thrive amid a new kind of expectation, one he has thoroughly embraced in the 12 months since almost dragging Ireland to a World Cup.
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FAI Republic Of Ireland Troy Parrott uefa nations league