A former Tottenham starlet has fired his nation to a 2-0 win in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Over the last few years, we have seen a few highly rated academy graduates fail to make the expected impact at first-team level.
Perhaps the starkest example was Troy Parrott, who was seen by many at Hotspur Way as a generational talent, with the youngster making his senior debut for the Lilywhites aged just 17, back in 2019.
However, he never managed to establish himself in the senior side in North London and following an impressive campaign on loan at Excelsior Rotterdam in 2023-24, he was bought by Alkmaar for £6.7m in the summer of 2024.
Former Tottenham youngster Troy Parrott destroys Portugal on the big stage
The centre-forward has come into his own over the last 18 months, having managed 33 goals and seven assists in 61 appearances for Alkmaar since his switch to the AFAS Stadium.
The 23-year-old has been leading the line regularly for the Republic of Ireland, and he came of age in international football on Thursday, netting a brace to help the Irish overcome Portugal 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Parrott’s first goal was a poacher’s finish, with the striker being at the right spot to convert after a corner-kick to the back post was headed back across the goal.
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The former Spurs man’s second was an impressive goal, with the youngster chasing down a long ball, cutting inside and squeezing his shot in at the near post.
Parrott admits it was the best night of his life
There have been reports that Premier League clubs are now eyeing a move for Parrott, and one would think that a big transfer is not far off for the striker if he keeps performing as he is.
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Portugal, the Tottenham academy graduate admitted that he was “overwhelmed”, describing it as the “best night” of his life.