Tottenham’s Troy Parrott earns Ireland senior call-up for September Nations League matches

Tottenham Hotspur’s young superstar striker Troy Parrott won’t be getting any games for Spurs this season, as he’s spending the year on loan at Championship side Millwall. However, he may be finally about to break into his country’s first team plans. According to the BBC, new Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has named his first Ireland squad since taking over as boss this summer, and Parrott is one of a number of Irish youngsters who have gotten the call.

Ireland play two Nations League matches in early September — away at Bulgaria on September 3 and home to Finland three days later. Parrott had previously earned a call-up to Ireland last season, and made his full Ireland debut last November in a 3-1 friendly win over New Zealand. He is part of a striker corps that includes Callum Robinson, Callum O’Dowda, James McClean, Aaron Connolly, 19-year old Norwich striker (and Ireland debutant) Adam Idah, Shane Long, David McGoldrick, though McGoldrick is only available for Finland.

Kenny took over the Ireland setup this past spring after former manager Mick McCarthy resigned in April. Kenny had previously headed up the U21 squad and was planning to succeed McCarthy this summer, but the COVID shutdown accelerated those plans. Because of his familiarity with the U21s, it perhaps makes sense that Kenny is more likely to give the Irish youngsters a chance than McCarthy, even though Ireland still aren’t assured of qualifying for the European Championships this summer.

It sure seems like this would be a setup, both in terms of manager and matches, in which Parrott is more likely to get senior minutes than before. And if you can say anything about his goals this coming season, it’s to get more senior minutes — the more the better.

It’s not a guarantee, but it sure seems like it’s a distinct possibility.