REPUBLIC OF IRELAND FORWARD TROY PARROTT has admitted that he isn't sure if he has a long-term career at his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur.
The Dublin native is highly rated at Spurs and signed for the club as a youngster in 2017 but has been on loan to numerous clubs outside the Premiership. These include the likes of MK Dons, Preston North End, Millwall, and Ipswich Town.
At 21 years of age, the Irish youngster's Spurs career is entering make-or-break territory. With the club's tumultuous situation and the speculation around star striker Harry Kane's future, the door would open for Parrott. However, he knows that it is now or never.
Another factor that could work in Parrott's favor is the arrival of a new manager. Ange Postecoglou will oversee a new reign in North London. The Dubliner doesn't know what will happen in terms of his career but admitted that he is keen to impress the former Celtic boss when preseason starts again.
“I’m just waiting to see what happens," said Parrott at Ireland's training camp in Turkey. “Obviously, when I left to come here [Ireland camp], there was still no manager. “There’s a new manager now. So, I’ll go back to preseason and try to show him what I can do. And then go from there. As of now, I’m not sure what the situation is.
“I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating. I’d say that’s just football. There’s not much I can do about it. I can just go with it and try to do what I can. Ultimately, I want to play at Tottenham.
“I’ve always said that, that’s where I want to be. Whatever steps I can take to get me there, I’m willing to take.”
Faro , Portugal - 31 August 2021; Troy Parrott during a Republic of Ireland training session at Estádio Algarve in Faro, Portugal. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)On the international front, Parrott will battle the likes of his younger counterpart Evan Ferguson for a start against Greece this weekend. Ferguson, three years his junior, has managed to do something Parrott has been unable to do: settle in at a Premier League club.
When asked what advice he would give to Ferguson ahead of the games, Parrott admitted he was unable to do so because of his lack of experience. However, he also admitted that the only task at hand was defeating Greece in Athens this weekend.
"I'm not too much older than him, so I don't think I can give him too much advice! I'd say just keep doing what he's doing. Because he's smashing it right now!," added Parrott.
"It's nice to see someone else coming through. We've got five strikers in the squad that are really good. We're all fighting with each other to play. We all want to play.
"We all have a really good relationship. It can only benefit us all and help us bring the best out of each other. It's on us to score the goals to win the games. That's what we need to do.
"Everyone saw the performance we put in against France at home. It's about just taking that and bringing that into the two games that are coming up first. We're fully focused on Greece and coming here to win."
Republic of Ireland Squad - Greece & Gibraltar:
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Atlético Madrid), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Middlesbrough), Liam Scales (Celtic)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jamie McGrath (Wigan Athletic), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United)
Forwards: Adam Idah (Norwich City), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Mikey Johnston (Vitória de Guimarães, on loan from Celtic)
UEFA EURO 2024 - Fixtures:
16/06 - Greece v Ireland, OPAP Arena, 7.45pm (21.45pm local time)
19/06 - Ireland v Gibraltar, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
