“There aren’t many players that can do what he did.”
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson succinctly summarised the brilliance of in-form striker Troy Parrott for his first goal in their Uefa Nations League 2-2 draw with Austria in Dublin.
Having been fed the ball by Adam Idah around 20 yards from goal, Parrott stalled for a second and even gestured for support around him before deciding to go alone.
First, he nutmegged Philipp Lienhart, then he sidestepped his defensive partner David Affengruber before showing why Real Betis paid big money for him in the summer by slotting through goalkeeper Florian Wiegele’s legs.
His team-mate Jack Moylan’s reaction mirrored that of many supporters in the stands after the ball hit the net, with the Cardiff City man standing with his hands on his head in disbelief but with a huge smile that showed his glee after witnessing such a special goal.
It was one of the finest goals scored at the Aviva Stadium and one that Hallgrimsson said will be replayed “again and again for many years to come”.
While his last-gasp winner that completed his hat-trick against Hungary and secured a World Cup play-off in November last year may be his most memorable goal, there is no doubting that this was the best of an ever-growing catalogue in a green shirt.
Parrott then doubled his and his side’s advantage when he kept his cool to tuck home a penalty on the stroke of half-time to take his tally to 14 in 40 caps, with nine of those coming in his last six competitive games.
That looked to have set the Irish on their way to back-to-back wins after he also found the net in the victory against Israel on Sunday, but Austria fought back, scoring shortly before he was substituted on 75 minutes and then finding a second soon after to earn a point.
“It was just a shame it was not a goal that gave us a win but I think you will be watching it anyway for years to come,” Hallgrimsson added.
The result tainted a fine personal night for Parrott, but given the trajectory he is on, there are set to be many more to come.