Former Netherlands and Tottenham Hotspur player Rafael van der Vaart believes that Ireland's Troy Parrott has an exciting future in the game.
Parrott has excelled for his new club, AZ Alkmaar, joining from Spurs for an €8 million (£6.7 million) deal this summer.
The Dublin native has scored six goals in nine matches so far, four of which came in the 9-1 win against SC Heerenveen.
It seems that after a number of loans, Parrott has finally found his feet.
Van der Vaart, who is known in football circles for his sharp tongue and brutal honesty, has praised the Ireland youngster for evolving his game since arriving in Holland.
“He’s going to be a really big player,” said the Dutch pundit on Ziggo Sport, the Dutch outlet. “I saw him at Excelsior, but then he was more on the counter. Now he is a good, footballing striker who actually has everything. He just needs to develop his killer instinct a bit. He is a gem.”
"It was never going to happen that early. Football is never so easy. For me, it was more about growing up a bit and trying to block the noise out, in a way."
Troy Parrott on how he has matured since leaving Spurs for AZ Alkmaar
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Parrott himself is now back in the Ireland fold for the Finland match that just passed and the Greece fixture to come this week.
The Irish striker was asked directly this week about his experiences as a young player trying to find his feet in football. Parrott admits that he has felt pressure in the past but says he is now enjoying his time with Alkmaar.
"When I was a bit younger, pressure used to get to me a bit, but not now that I'm older. I’ve played more games; I’ve been in England, I’ve been in Holland, and I’m experiencing new things," he said to BBC Sport this week
"To be away, it’s not necessarily being out of the spotlight, but it’s just a new experience for me that I’m really enjoying.
"For me, enjoying my football is the most important thing, and I think it’s one of the reasons why I’ve managed to do well up to now.
"Just trying to live up to the hype at such a young age was never going to happen that early. Football is never so easy. For me, it was more about growing up a bit and trying to block the noise out, in a way."
Ireland next travels to Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium to face Greece tomorrow.
Republic of Ireland Squad: Finland & Greece
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League: Fixtures
13/10 - Greece vs. Ireland, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
