Troy Parrott thriving at AZ Alkmaar as Ireland striker targets World Cup dream
MARKSMAN: Ireland's Troy Parrott celebrates with AZ Alkmaar team-mate Sven Mijnans after their KNVB Beker Cup win over SC Telstar this week. Pic: Ed van de Pol/BSR Agency/Getty Images
From the land where bicycles are king, Ireland have a striker in Troy Parrott freewheeling into the upcoming World Cup play-off.
The Netherlands has become his home away from home for the past two-and-a-half years and the adulation visible at AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday underscored why he resisted offers to move elsewhere.
A red wall of fans around the 19,000-seater AFAS Stadion was speckled with the odd tricolour, an occurrence not confined to their Dutch Cup semi-final win.
“There’s a few Irish flags in different parts of the stadium,” he explained. “I don’t know who the people are because they’re all high up in the stands so I’ve not spoken to them.
“But I love seeing them.”
Parrott’s passion for his homeland was illustrated by his words and actions last November.
Tears streamed down his face as he spoke about the importance of Ireland salvaging their World Cup fate. Only through his five goals in victories over Portugal and Hungary did Ireland make a first global tournament for 24 years possible.
His only wish was that the play-offs to complete the journey to June’s games in Mexico and Atlanta weren’t sooner. It will be four months since Budapest when Ireland line up in Prague on Thursday fortnight.
“It would have been nice if the games didn’t stop – and we’d get straight into the play-offs - but the club matches are coming thick and fast,” he explains. “I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing.”
What he’s been doing is scoring goals and thankfully, for Ireland’s sake, avoiding injury.
His haul for the season for club and country by this point in early March ought to have been 30, only for his winner in the semi to be reclassified as an own goal.
There was a classic poacher’s instinct to him outfoxing Telstar goalkeeper Ronald Koeman, son of the Dutch legend, but the final touch was deemed to have come off Neville Ogidi Nwankwo.
That Cup showdown against Nijmegen on April 19 is far from Parrott’s thoughts amidst this hectic period.
Tonight will see him lead the line at runaway leaders PSV before they meet Sparta Prague in the last 16 of the Conference League on Thursday.
Such is the relentless schedule that AZ’s star striker started last weekend’s trip to Utrecht as a substitute.
They’re in sixth place, five points behind third-placed Ajax, but Parrott feels they should be in the Champions League spots.
“We’ve not been great in the league recently; up and down, too inconsistent,” he outlines.
“We’re still not far off and still have a lot still to play for this season. I’m buzzing to get to another Cup final. It was something we set as a target from the start of the season.
"Now we've got to go and win this one.
“The manager’s decision last weekend stood to me because I’d played a lot of games recently. It was good to have a little rest. I felt fresh for the semi-final.
“European games are important for this club because of their history. Sparta will be difficult because they finished fourth in the Conference League table.
“Everyone is feeling good and believes we do well in the Conference League. It gives us the opportunity of playing against some of the big clubs around Europe.
“I’m very happy with how we’re playing and my role in the team. Everything is good.”
That must be good news for Ireland too.
With every game and goal for Parrott comes the risk of Ireland’s hero getting injured.
Heimir Hallgrímsson is already without Josh Cullen and Mikey Johnston and his desire to accommodate Evan Ferguson in the same team as fellow attacker Parrott has been torpedoed by his knee injury.
Parrott’s value to the Irish team is unquestionable but he won’t be adjusting his style over the next five games to dodge a knock.
“I’m not a big tackler so should be alright,” he jokes with a glint in his pearly blue eyes.
“It would have been nice to have Evan so it’s important to have as many good players because these are hard games. Whoever is there will be there and we know what we’ve to do.
“For me, I’m not going to play any differently. It’s vital that I stay in a good rhythm and be ready to go when the games come around.”
Every time he sees teammate Matěj Šín is a reminder of Czechia looming.
“I’ve been speaking to him about the game,” he admitted about the young midfielder.
“Czechia seem confident about beating us but I don’t think they're as confident as we are.”
Astride the saddle and rearing to go, Parrott’s conviction for another glorious golden moment in Irish football history is absolute.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
