LATER this month, Troy Parrott will get the chance to underline why moving away from Spurs was right for his club career.
But, before that, the Dubliner is keen to show that joining AZ Alkmaar has benefitted him in international football.
In September, Parrott did not feature in either of Ireland’s opening Nations League fixtures against England and Greece.
The 22-year-old did not seek an explanation from Heimir Hallgrímsson at the time or since.
He said: ”I am not really the type to ask a lot of questions. If he’s made that decision, that is his decision, it’s gone and I can’t change what’s happened. I hope I can get some minutes this time.”
But he has done his talking on the pitch, scoring six times in as many games in the meantime.
Read More On Irish Football
And he hopes that has given the Ireland boss food for thought ahead of another two games in the space of 72 hours, starting with Finland in Helsinki tomorrow night before taking on Greece in Athens.
Parrott, 22, said: “It was disappointing. As a player you always want to play
“Obviously I’ve had some good moments for Ireland as well so to not play and not get a chance to show myself was disappointing.
“It’s not something I’m going to sit around and cry about. We’re here now, it’s a new camp, we have to see what happens.
“I want to play, I’m ready to play. But again, it’s the manager’s decision, I can only come here and be as fit as I can, play, train the best I can and see what happens.”
He arrives high on confidence, thanks to four gaols in one game against Heerenveen, another in the Eredivisie against Utrecht as well as one against Elfsborg in the Europa League.
He reckons last week’s European fixture against Athletic Bilbao in a packed San Mames – which ended in a 2-0 defeat – was the biggest game to date of his club career.
He said: “One of the reasons I went there is because of the European football, so be playing in them games and get my first European goal was a nice feeling.
“That’s why I wanted to move away and play in those type of games, to get that experience and test myself at that level.
“I can’t really ask for much more, to be playing away in Spain on a Thursday night is top.”
BUMPS ALONG THE ROAD
He is starting to deliver on the potential which had prompted much excitement when he made his Spurs debut aged 17.
Becoming a regular proved far more difficult and loan moves – not all of them successful – to Millwall, Ipswich Town, MK Dons, Preston and Excelsior followed.
He admitted to struggling with the weight of expectation which had been placed on his young shoulders.
He said: “I think you are right in what you say about there being quite a lot of pressure put on.
“Trying to live up to the hype at such a young age, it was never going to happen that early because football isn’t so easy. For me it was more about growing up a bit and trying to block out the noise.
“It was a lot from the media, not a lot from the people around me. I knew that I had talent, how good I was I didn’t know.
“I didn’t get many games to try to show that but it was a lot to do with media.
“When I was younger, I’ll tell the truth, it used to get to me a bit but now I am older, I have played more games, I have been in England and the Netherlands and am experiencing new things.
“Being away, it’s not necessarily being out of the spotlight, it’s just a new experience for me I’m really enjoying.
“For me to be enjoying my football is the most important thing. It is one of the reasons why I have managed to do well up to now.”
The time with Excelsior gave him his first taste of Dutch football and he liked what he saw.
He explained: “The style of football is different. I played a lot in the Championship, a bit in League One, the style of football in the Netherlands is different to the Championship.
“It’s different for everyone. It suited me a lot to move away and play somewhere else.
“There could be a young Irish lad who goes to the UK and does really well straight away.
“For everyone it’s different. If someone asked me I would say it has been a good experience and would advise them to go.”
SPURS RETURN
Understandably, he has the Europa League tie away to Spurs in a fortnight’s time circled on his calendar.
He said: “I had a feeling that would happen. I was watching the draw and had a feeling it would happen. I can’t wait for that one.”
But, before then, he hopes to help Ireland bounce back from two defeats to claim their first points from the Nations League campaign.
Asked if we had seen the best of him yet in a green shirt, he said: No, I don’t think so. I’ve had some good moments in the Ireland shirt to date.
“Another thing I want to do in Holland is keep improving. I’m not the finished article.
“I need to keep getting better and learn more stuff. To answer the question, no, you’ve not see the best of me.
“But if I get a chance to play then I’m going to feel ready and I’m going to feel like I can make an impact on the game.
“I could see why the team feels a bit low on form because of previous results. But I think it’s on all of us to try and turn it around.
RALLYING CRY
“As Irish people and a squad, you always have that grit and hard work so I think it’s about having that and then also bringing the quality we need to go out and win matches.
“I don’t think we’re easy to beat. I think internationally all the teams are good. So every game is a real test.
“I think for us, as I said before, trying to right the wrongs from the last camp and try and pick up results.
“It’s been a difficult couple of campaigns for us in terms of results and quality of group opponents.
“The last group was Netherlands and France, world-class counties. France have won the World Cup and got to the last final. They were difficult games.
“It’s on us to try to turn it around and start picking up results more regularly to get back to where we want to be.
“What’s needed in this window are results. We need to start picking up points.
“It’s far from finished. We’ve lost two games but it’s not done. We’ve still four games left.”