Troy Parrott: I thought ups and downs were for other people

Ireland striker Troy Parrott accepts he had to wake up and refocus having assumed that his rise through the professional ranks would be seamless  

Troy Parrott of Milton Keynes Dons warms up prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Oxford United and Milton Keynes Dons at Kassam Stadium on April 19, 2022 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)

Troy Parrott admits he was too ready to believe his own hype and listened to the clamour for his inclusion in the Tottenham first team at just 17.

Still only 20, the Republic of Ireland striker is enjoying the best spell of his senior career at an MK Dons side pushing for promotion from League One. But Parrott accepts he had to wake up and refocus having assumed that his rise through the professional ranks would be seamless and plain sailing.