Why in-form Troy Parrott needs to feature for Ireland in upcoming Nations League games

The Dublin native has scored five goals in seven games for his new club.

The 22-year-old is making quite a name for himself less than two months into his AZ Alkmaar career. To borrow the phrase famously used by Micah Richards, the Dubliner has certainly 'burst onto' the Dutch football scene.

Parrott signed for Alkmaar in July after spending a disappointing seven years at Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite impressing during several loan spells at various clubs, the youngster never quite got himself into contention at the north London club.

However, in just seven appearances for Alkmaar, he has looked prolific in front of goal and has already become a fan favourite with the home crowd.

Parrott grabbed all of the headlines in Holland earlier this month when he netted four time in the club's 9-1 win over Heerenveen.

He was the star man again last night as he struck the winner from the penalty spot with fifteen minutes left on the clock, helping his side overcome Elfsborg 3-2 in their Europa League opener.

Alkmaar now sit second in the Dutch Eredivise, two points behind PSV Eindhoven at the top - with much of that being down to Parrott's goalscoring prowess.

Lovely penalty from Troy Parrott 🇮🇪😍pic.twitter.com/JvPbTmpMRK

— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) September 25, 2024

Dutch football seems to agree with the youngster. He bagged 10 Eredivisie goals in 25 appearances for struggling Excelsior last season while on a season-long loan from Spurs.

He went on to net seven more in the promotion/relegation play-offs and ultimately attracted the attention of his current club who paid €8 million to secure the Irishman's services.

Considering how on fire and full of confidence he seems to be at the moment, he must be at the forefront of Heimir Hallgrímsson's mind ahead of Ireland's upcoming Nations League fixtures against Finland and Greece in October.

Ireland's opening games in the competition resulted in two losses and no goals scored, so someone showing the kind of form that Parrott currently is is undeniably needed.

Ireland have two away games - one in Finland and one in Greece - coming up within the next few weeks, and are currently third in their group with no less than six points needed to make up ground with England and the Greeks.

AZ Alkmaar have three games to play before Ireland travel to Finland on 10th October - one of which sees them face Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League - and if Parrott continues in the same way there will be a very strong argument in favour of him starting up top for the Boys in Green for that game.