Troy Parrott: 'I had the best week of my life but I've come back down to earth'
AZ Alkmaar's Troy Parrott speaks at a press conference before his side's clash with Shels on Thursday. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Troy Time continues on Thursday in the Netherlands and Shelbourne are wary of becoming the sensation’s latest victims.
Six goals in three games, bringing his season haul to 19, marks Parrott out as one of Europe’s top marksmen. Fate decrees his next opponents hail a mile away from his family house in Dublin.
Parrott’s exploits for Ireland, scoring all five goals in the wins over Portugal and Hungary, made him the natural choice to front the pre-match press conference for AZ Alkmaar.
They’ve as much motivation for chasing points at the AFAS Stadion. Midway through the six-game Conference League campaign, AZ’s three-point tally places them 27th in the marathon 36-team table.
Shelbourne’s sole point, collected on the opening night from a scoreless draw against Swedish Cup holders BK Hacken, leaves them in 30th.
They’ve yet to score in this phase of the competition but much of their energies will be devoted to corralling the compatriot of most of their players.
Paddy Barrett joked at the weekend he’d resort to ‘slapping’ Ireland’s latest national treasure but his teammate Kameron Ledwidge will have a better idea from their duels growing up in the same age-group.
“I had the best week of my life but have come back to earth,” explained 23-year-old Parrott, whose club firepower was maintained by his strike in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at SC Heerenveen.
“AZ have helped me massively get better. I’ve to trust that the work continues to benefit me.
“I still kept watching the videos from back home over and over again.
“There’s no words to describe what impact the team can have on the country. I didn’t know how big it was going to be.
“The playoff against Czechia in March gives us, as a national team, something to look forward to because it’s been a few years since we’ve had meaningful games. It will be a nice feeling.
“That had a big part in the emotion after beating Hungary.
“We went four years within a space of only winning a game here and there and not making it to tournaments.
"We went through a stage where everyone wrote us off. The fans didn’t have anything meaningful so those two wins have led to that reaction.”
Parrott’s soaring stock is certain to attract bids in the January transfer window.
The Dubliner has found a haven in the Dutch Eredivisie, initially on loan from Tottenham to Excelsior before Spurs accepted a €10m offer from his current employer at the start of last season.
Maarten Maartens is determined to keep their prize asset, adamant the growth in his game is only unravelling.
“Troy is improving but most of the time I am actually there to be hard on him,” explained his manager.
“I expect more from him. We don’t agree with the level he is because we always want it to be better. He appreciates that.
“We have a big staff, like every club, but there is responsibility on each individual. It’s not only me who talks to him. Players need to feel the confidence by playing but Troy is a team player. That's why he plays so much.”
Parrott insists he’s not distracted by the interest that’s rocketed during November.
“I’m really comfortable here, very happy here,” he explained, after taking a bike ride through the snowy lanes to the media centre.
“I feel like I’m progressing really well and I really, really enjoy being here and playing here.
“I’m fully focused on being here.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m here and I’m focused on the goals that we have as a team for this season.
“It’s really nice to play against an Irish team – a first in my career. Shels, like all Irish teams, are hard-working and it will be exciting.
“I was a Shamrock Rovers fan when I was younger but grew up near Tolka Park and know some of their players. It will be nice to see familiar faces.”
Thursday, 5.45pm (Irish time), Premier Sports Ireland.
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