Keith Andrews on Troy Parrott: ‘He pressed the reset button and just started to work hard’

Seán O’Connor reports from FAI HQ in Abbottstown.

Republic of Ireland assistant manager Keith Andrews spoke to the media at FAI HQ this afternoon ahead of Tuesday evening’s friendly against Lithuania

Andrews has been Kenny’s assistant since the under-21's and continued on when Kenny took the senior job in April 2020. The former midfielder earned 35 caps for Ireland and won FAI Player of the Year in 2012 before retiring later that year.

Speaking at his first press conference in his current role, Andrews identified the differences between the current possession-based style of play, to that of previous, more defensive regimes that he was involved in as a player.

"In terms of previous regimes that was their bag,” Andrews said.

“This is our regime, and this is how we see fit to put things into place and hopefully we can just continue to work and continue building to keep that momentum going."

As a result of Covid-19, the first eleven matches under Kenny were played behind closed doors, while Ireland’s 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan in September was their first game in front of a home crowd for 18 months. The assistant explained how much an impact a full stadium makes to the team, and suggested that it was vital in Ireland getting a late equalizer against Belgium.

“It wasn't a nice time,” Andrews said.

“On Saturday, if that was an empty stadium, I don't think we would have got the level of game we got. Even with a half full stadium. It was very very difficult during those times to try and get through. Personally, it wasn't very nice. It was such a proud moment for me to be given this role in the first place and to do it in empty stadiums is not what you would have anticipated so it's nice to get back to normality.”

Ireland striker Troy Parrott was also in front of the media last week and spoke honestly about the need for him to go on loan to play regular football. The 20-year-old’s move to MK Dons seems to be paying off this season, with six goals and six assists to his name so far.



“I realised ultimately we get one shot at this football game,” said Parrott last week.

“Where I was at the time wasn't helping me get to where I want to get to more. I needed to be playing. I wasn't going to let it go by me.”

With changes in the starting XI expected on Tuesday evening, Parrott could earn his sixth international start tomorrow evening. Andrews added that the striker has been impressing in this international window, compared to previous camps.

“Troy has been flying in training,” Andrews said.

“There has been a real noticeable difference in Troy between this and the last camp. You sometimes forget how young Troy is. I have had a lot of conversations with Troy, I've a really good relationship with him. Up until a certain point in Troy's career, he was just on that upward trajectory. Then there were a couple of loan moves, but they are invaluable experiences, absolutely invaluable.”

"He pressed the reset button and just started to work hard. I think he has got his reward for that from his club manager and what we have seen this week. He has been really, really sharp so there would be absolutely no qualms about Troy being involved tomorrow. We got a lot of belief in him in terms of what he is capable of, and he is in a good place."



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