'Parrott cannot score if he doesn't have the ball' - Czechia plan to curb Troy's impact

Parrott’s goal and assist in AZ Alkmaar’s 4-0 Conference League destruction of Sparta Prague underlined why the Czechia boss has branded the Ireland striker a killer.

HOLES IN THE PLAN: Troy Parrott celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick against Hungary. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Czechia witnessed first-hand on Thursday the devastation Troy Parrott can inflict, leaving defender Tomáš Holeš with the mission of preventing a repeat a week later.

Holeš is among the cohort of 13 home-based players assembled by Miroslav Koubek early in preparation for Thursday’s visit of Ireland for the World Cup playoff semi-final.