McCarthy not afraid to give youngsters a chance as Parrott prepares for debut

Mick McCarthy will turn back the clock on Thursday evening when he hands teenage striker Troy Parrott a senior debut for the Republic of Ireland against New Zealand.

In March 1998, it was McCarthy who turned to a then 17-year-old Robbie Keane against the Czech Republic in Olomouc, sparking an international career which eventually amounted to 146 appearances and 68 goals, both national records.