Ireland fans say 'good omen' as Troy Parrott wreaks havoc on Ajax
Troy Parrott has given Ireland fans a ‘good omen’ after terrorising Ajax’s defence on Wednesday night.
Fans have been hoping that Ireland’s top players can keep up good form leading up to the World Cup play-offs in March.
Parrott has shown plenty of reasons why he can be the man to get Ireland to North America this summer, having hauled the side into the play-offs already.
Troy Parrott scored a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Ajax. Pic: Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images
The 23-year-old gained global recognition for his stunning performances during the November international break, when Ireland needed to beat both Portugal and Hungary to keep any World Cup hopes alive.
Parrott’s five goals in two games made the improbable possible, with a hat-trick in Budapest stunning fans and critics alike.
His 96th-minute winner went viral around the world, giving Ireland extra motivation for the March play-offs.
Parrott took home another match ball on Wednesday night. Pic: Stefan Koops/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
This week, Parrott showed fans that he is still firing in goals as he took home another match ball.
The Dubliner’s hat-trick on Wednesday helped AZ Alkmaar beat Ajax 6-0 in the KNVB Beker, a Dutch cup.
Fans also pointed out that Ajax’s goalkeeper is Czech, making it a ‘good omen’ for the play-offs.
Ireland fans have seen it as a ‘good omen’. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ireland will take on Czechia in Prague on March 26 for a spot in the play-off final against either Denmark or North Macedonia.
One fan wrote on X: ‘Troy Parrott with another match ball. The man loves a hat-trick. What a player.’
Another shared: ‘Troy Parrott after scoring ANOTHER hat-trick tonight, this time against Ajax… How on earth has this lad not been snapped up by a Premier League club?’
Parrott has been flying for AZ Alkmaar this season. Pic: Ed van de Pol/BSR Agency/Getty Images
A third added: ‘Troy Parrott scored his hat-trick tonight past a Czech keeper…’
Yet another said: ‘Hat-trick against a Czech goalkeeper… good omen before the match in March?’
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson was even in attendance as he checked up on Parrott’s form.
Meanwhile, the result was so humiliating for Ajax that the club has vowed to refund fans for their tickets.
Ajax manager Fred Grim told a press conference: ‘We are ashamed of this result. We believe we should cover the costs for the away fans. And we will do so.’
1,200 Ajax fans travelled to the match, with Alkmaar roughly 42.5km away from Amsterdam.
Ajax player Youri Regeer added: ‘It wasn’t Ajax-worthy today. As a club and as a group of players, we have to compensate for the tickets. That’s the only thing we can do.’
