'I’ve had to sit on the sidelines so to get the chance is nice' - Troy Parrott happy to be main man

Troy Parrott has finally become Ireland’s main striker at 23.

Ireland's Troy Parrott shoots under pressure from Lukas Petkov of Bulgaria. Pic: Kostadin Andonov, Inpho

It’s taken persistence but Troy Parrott has finally become Ireland’s main striker and he’s just turned 23.

Mick McCarthy handed him his debut at 17 but his return of just 26 caps over the five-and-a-half years testifies to the punctuated international career he’s had.

Although another hyped forward, Evan Ferguson, overtook him in the pecking order last year, it was Parrott chosen as the lone striker for Thursday’s Uefa Nations League playoff first leg in Bulgaria.

His form this season with AZ Alkmaar, 12 goals in 25 Eredivisie games, was sustained as he set up the opener for Finn Azaz in a 2-1 win that puts Ireland in command to retain their League B status in Sunday’s return leg in Dublin.

There are two June friendlies to follow against Senegal and Luxembourg, before the World Cup qualifiers begin in September.

Ireland already know that Hungary and Armenia are in their group while Denmark are in pole position to join them having racked up a 1-0 lead midway through their League A playoff against Portugal.

“These games are a chance for us to keep winning, go on a run and get the confidence up going into the qualifiers,” said Parrott.

“We’ve spoken quite a lot about doing that.

“It’s not going to be easy again on Sunday, same as it wasn’t easy in the first leg, but I think we have the quality to hurt Bulgaria if we string together again like we did over there.

“It can be very difficult to come back and get into a game at this level, so we’ve to give ourselves credit for doing that so soon as we did in Bulgaria.

“And then having that bit more to push on and score again.

“The second half wasn’t great from either of us but I thought we controlled it well and saw it out as well and into Sunday now.

“Everyone in the dressing-room believes in the quality that we have so it was no big deal we went behind.

“To be fair to them, Bulgaria scored a good goal.

“But the game wasn’t done and we scored a good goal ourselves to bounce back from it.” Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson opted for Parrott over Ferguson’s due to the contrast in their gametime at club level but may alternate for the second leg. Parrott has no issue with their sharing the burden.

“I’m happy because I’m playing and scoring goals for my club,” added the striker, who completed his €8m transfer from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.

“I’m coming into camp and adding stuff to the team, so I’m delighted with how it’s going.

“I’m good with playing wherever on the pitch but that’s my strongest position, as striker.

“So, to get that confidence from the manager to do a good job up there is a really good feeling for me. I’ve had to sit on the sidelines for quite some time so to get the chance is nice.

“For me, it’s healthy competition (with Ferguson). We’re all pushing each other, all doing well and I don’t think it will be the last time the team changes. At the moment, I’m happy where I’m at.”