Hallgrimsson hails Troy Parrott after solo strike and penalty in 2-2 Dublin draw with Austria
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson praised Troy Parrott after the striker scored a solo goal and a penalty in their Uefa Nations League 2-2 draw with Austria in Dublin. "There aren't many players that can do what he did," Hallgrimsson said of Parrott's contribution.
Parrott's solo effort began with Adam Idah feeding him around 20 yards from goal; he stalled, signalled for support and then elected to take the initiative himself. He nutmegged Philipp Lienhart, evaded David Affengruber and finished by slotting the ball through goalkeeper Florian Wiegele's legs, a sequence Hallgrimsson said would be replayed "again and again for many years to come". Jack Moylan, described in the report as the Cardiff City man, stood with his hands on his head and a wide smile after the strike, which was called one of the finest scored at the Aviva Stadium. The report also noted that the move illustrated "why Real Betis paid big money for him in the summer."
Parrott then converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time to double his and Ireland's lead, taking his international tally to 14 in 40 caps. The piece recorded that nine of those 14 goals have arrived in his last six competitive games and referenced his last-gasp hat-trick against Hungary that secured a World Cup play-off in November last year.
The match was briefly halted by protests and the result was affected when Austria scored shortly before Parrott was substituted on 75 minutes and then levelled again soon after to earn a point. Parrott was taken off soon after Austria had pulled a goal back, and the comeback left his personal night somewhat tainted despite his contributions.
At club level, the article stated Parrott has two goals and an assist in limited minutes at his new club Betis this season. It also recalled that Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan were key in Republic of Ireland's comfortable 3-0 win against Israel in the first game of the international break in Hungary.
Hallgrimsson explained the rationale for replacing the tiring forward with Chiedozie Ogbene was to preserve him for the next fixture in Backa Topola. When asked if he regretted bringing Parrott off in Dublin he replied, "Absolutely not," and added: "He had a few knocks and he was getting tired and we need him in three days. I've always said about Troy, I know he has a special gift going forward and scoring goals but what I always see in him that I don't see in many other attackers is his defensive discipline and hard work," he continued. "I hope he continues to improve, but it is magical for Irish football to have him in a green shirt."
A win against Israel would move Republic of Ireland onto seven points and, the report stated, would give them a good chance of finishing second and securing a place in pot two for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw heading into November's final two games away to Austria and at home to Kosovo.
Republic of Ireland will face Israel again in Serbia on Sunday to close the four-game international break.
