Overview
- Ireland face Czechia in a World Cup qualifying play-off semi in Prague on Thursday, and a win would book a home final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium next Tuesday.
- Parrott’s mother, Jennifer, said in Prague that she texts him a simple good-luck message and avoids calling so he stays calm, adding “no matter what I’m proud of you.”
- The AZ Alkmaar forward enters the tie in standout club form after a €4m move two years ago, with 14 goals in 23 Eredivisie games that his mother called proof the switch was “the best decision he ever made.”
- His rise follows a bumpy spell at Tottenham with only two first-team outings and loans to Millwall, Ipswich Town, MK Dons and Preston North End.
- Coverage from The42, the Irish Independent and RTÉ points to his hat-trick in Budapest and an earlier two-goal display against Portugal as sparks for public optimism and a strong family presence in Prague.