Some notes on Spurs youngster Troy Parrott’s performance against New Zealand:

It was a memorable night for 17 year old Dubliner Troy Parrott on Thursday as the second year scholar made his debut for the Republic of Ireland’s senior team, in their international friendly against New Zealand at the Aviva stadium in Dublin. Parrott completed 62 minutes of last nights match and he chipped in with an assist to cap off a fine debut performance. The tigerish centre forward put in a good shift up top for Mick McCarthy’s side and he also came close to netting a debut goal. Starting up top in a 4-3-3 formation, Parrott pressed well during the opening stages of the game. After the skilful Jack Byrne (a player who Parrott would link up well with on the night) sent a nice lofted pass over the New Zealand defence, Parrott was set racing through on goal down the left side of the oppositions box. However, the flag on the far side went up (it was a very tight one!) just as he flicked the ball over the New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic. After a dominant spell of possession for the Irish, Parrott managed to upset New Zealand defender Winston Reid after he had caught the West Ham man from behind. Around six minutes later Parrott made a run down the right flank to try and latch onto Robbie Brady’s lofted pass. However, Marinovic had come rushing off of his line to clear the ball before Parrott could get to it. A good move from Ireland saw Jack Byrne pass the ball to Robbie Brady who passed the ball to Parrott who had his back to goal inside the New Zealand penalty area, he appeared to be shoved to the ground by physical central defender Michael Boxall, but no penalty kick was given. After receiving Alan Browne’s pass Parrott tried to the pull the ball back to Jack Byrne inside the New Zealand box however, his pass was cut out by the alert Michael Boxall. New Zealand then took a slightly surprising lead on 30 minutes through Callum Mccowatt. Ireland tried to respond. After getting on the end of the ball inside the New Zealand box after a bit of a scramble, Parrott turned and shot but once again Boxall was in the way to block it. A couple of minutes later Parrott managed to get on the end of a Robbie Brady free kick however, his acrobatic volleyed effort was blocked and cleared away by Michael Boxall.

After holding the ball up well on the left flank Parrott passed the ball to Derrick Williams who rifled a shot wide from long range. Williams would eventually draw Ireland level before half time. The tigerish Troy Parrott started the second half with the same high intensity and it didn’t take him long before he made an impact on the game. After winning the ball off of Joe Bell on the edge of the New Zealand box Parrott laid the ball off to Sean Maguire who struck it first time, curling a glorious effort into the top right hand corner of the goal to make it 2-1 to Ireland. Shortly afterwards Parrott won a free kick after some good work on the edge of the New Zealand penalty area. Parrott came very close to getting on the scoresheet himself after almost finishing off a lovely Ireland attacking move. After receiving Jack Byrne’s pass Sean Maguire slipped the ball into Troy Parrott down the left hand side of the New Zealand box. Parrott kept his composure in front of goal but his eventual low finish which was intended to go through the legs of Marinovic, was saved by the goalkeeper who had come out to close the teenagers angles down. Parrott was replaced by Callum Robinson in the 63rd minute of the game. This was a very positive performance from Spurs’ bullish centre forward. Parrott imposed himself well on the game, his movement was good and he made many intelligent runs. I see know reason why Troy can’t be included on the bench for the Republic of Ireland’s crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark on Monday.