‘We have to be a little bit careful’ – Pundit worried Spurs starlet may not live up to hype

Former Republic of Ireland international, Stephen Elliot has admitted that he is worried that the expectations Troy Parrott has on his shoulders may prove too much for him to handle.

Parrott is not only highly regarded at Spurs but also back in his home country, with some regarding the youngster as the most natural finisher the country has produced since Spurs legend, Robbie Keane.

The 18-year-old has been banging the goals in for Ireland’s Under-21 side and has already won a senior cap for his country.

Parrott is currently on a season-long loan at Millwall, although the move to the Championship has been hampered by injuries so far.

However, the teenager has now been declared fit and called up to Ireland’s Under-21 squad, with Millwall boss Gary Rowett hopeful that the Tottenham striker can make his Championship debut after the international break.

Elliot warned that coaches need to show patience with Parrott and allow him to develop physically. The pundit told RTE: “There are such big expectations around Troy, I just worry that all it doesn’t become a bit too much for him pressure-wise.

“You get a little bit excited when he’s scoring goals for the young international teams and people are saying he could be the next Harry Kane but I think we have to take a back seat with Troy and let him get a run of games in the first team and build up physically. It is a bit different to playing U21, U23 football.

“From what I have seen he has more finishing ability and knowledge of the game than even some of the other younger lads coming through.

“So there’s no doubt he has the credentials to go on and be a top star for Ireland and it’s just a matter of finding the right time to integrate him into the team and the squad. I think Stephen Kenny will be fully aware of that.

“When Jack Byrne first broke onto the scene there was talk of him being a superstar and it didn’t quite work that way so we have to be a little bit careful.”

Spurs Web Opinion

We have witnessed countless times how teenagers who are labelled as wonderkids fade into obscurity just a few years later. So, while Parrott’s talent is there for all to see, it is vital that he has the right people around him and stays focused on his football. One cannot find too many better role models than Harry Kane in that respect.

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