Ireland boss not happy Troy Parrott didn’t go on loan

Most people are happy that Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott got a contract extension on his 18th birthday, committing to staying at Spurs. That doesn’t include, however, Ireland boss Mick McCarthy. Speaking to the Irish Times, McCarthy said he was disappointed that the young striker didn’t head out on loan in January to gain first team experience, and hinted that Parrott’s immediate future in the Ireland senior team is tied to him getting first team football experience.

Here’s what McCarthy said when asked if he was happy Parrott signed a new contract.

“Not really. I wish he’d gone to Charlton and played games on loan.

“It’s great for him financially, he’s got a new contract but I wish he was playing football somewhere. He couldn’t go out before because of his age and I understand that but if he’s not playing competitive football he has very little chance of being in the squad.”

Ireland are currently in a EURO 2020 qualification playoff and are pitted first against Slovakia with the match due to take place on March 26 in Brataslava. To qualify, Ireland would need to beat both Slovakia and the winner of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Northern Ireland, to be slotted into a EURO group that includes England, Croatia, and Czech Republic.

McCarthy pretty much said that the decision not to send Parrott on loan means that he won’t be included in the Ireland side that will take on Slovakia in March.

“Continuity is important for me. If the lads who have been playing are fit then you are not going to get too much change.”

That’s a bummer for Troy, but considering he only has one senior cap for Ireland it’s also perfectly understandable that he’d be considered a long-shot to make the squad. Ultimately I’m not sure how big a deal this is — by all accounts Troy’s the once and future king of Ireland anyway and if he continues his development he’s going to get plenty of opportunities to play for his country in the years to come. And who knows, he might get some first team minutes in the coming weeks and months with Tottenham. Almost certainly not as many as at Charlton, surely, but it’s not nothing.