Troy Parrott admitted after finding the back of the net for Preston North End in his first start for the club in over four months that he is hopeful of going on a good run over the coming months.
Parrott suffered a knee injury in Preston’s 2-3 loss at Carrow Road back in October, which sidelined him until January.
(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
After having a couple of cameos as a substitute over the last few weeks, the 21-year-old was given the nod to start in Preston’s clash against Luton Town on Wednesday.
When the home side were awarded a spot-kick in the 83rd minute, Parrott confidently grabbed the ball and scored an emphatic equaliser from 12 yards out.
The Tottenham academy graduate admitted that he had to wrestle the ball from his strike partner, Tom Cannon, who was also keen on taking the penalty.
Parrott told Lancashire Post: “When I saw that the ref had given the handball, no one was getting the ball off me. I wanted to take it, put pressure on myself and score. It was in the net before I even looked up.
“He [Cannon] wanted the pen, which I understand because he’s a striker as well. I’m sure if some of the other boys were on the pitch they’d have wanted it as well. I wanted the pressure, I wanted to take it and I wanted to score, and that’s what I did.
“He understands fully. Once it goes in it’s all good, if it doesn’t then it’s a different story but it did so everyone is happy.”
Parrott stated that it now feels like a fresh start for him at Deepdale Stadium and spoke about his determination to make the most of what is left of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international added: “It’s been a long, long five months since I started a game so to be back out there at Deepdale and getting my first goal here is nice.
“It feels like it’s a new loan. I want to come back and score goals, do well and help the team for the rest of the season and tonight is the start of it.
“I thought at the start of the season that I was playing well, just in the final third it wasn’t happening. Tonight will only give me confidence and I want to score more.
“I don’t think confidence was an issue for me. I was still taking shots and still getting into the areas. I’d be more worried if I wasn’t getting any chances, but I was and even against Luton I had another one that I should have done better with.
“Coming back and playing ninety minutes and scoring when we needed it is big for me. I was buzzing to get that goal.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Based on his words, it is easy to tell that Parrott is a confident young man, who has a lot of belief in himself.
Not many youngsters would demand the spot-kick on their return to the starting eleven after four and a half months.
Let us hope the 21-year-old can have a strong finish to the season so that he returns to Spurs full of confidence for pre-season.
Have something to tell us about this article?
