IRELAND’S sulky stars have been told to keep on proving their point on the pitch.
Adam Idah spoke to Heimir Hallgrimsson about his unhappiness at not being used in Plovdiv last Thursday.
The Celtic star insisted his ‘shushing’ celebration after scoring in the return game in Dublin was not directed at the Ireland boss but at online critics.
But assistant boss John O’Shea is happy for players to be browned off as management strive for competition for places to drive a successful World Cup qualification campaign.
O’Shea said: “Good, that’s what we need.
“The best way to answer is when he came on the pitch, score goals and do what you have to do.
“We need competition, we are talking about beating tier-one nations and qualifying for tournaments, we are going to need our strikers scoring goals and it’s important we have that reaction.”
Troy Parrott started both games — teeing up Finn Azaz’s goal in Bulgaria — with Evan Ferguson netting after he was included in the first XI in Dublin.
Parrott has thrived since his move to AZ Alkmaar with O’Shea impressed with how he has improved aspects of his play.
He said: “I know Troy a long time, his quality in terms of finishing, his touch, his touch for the goal the other night was incredible.
“It’s getting that consistency in his play, bringing other players into play and being a threat himself.”
Parrott moved to Holland — initially on loan to Excelsior — after struggling to make the breakthrough at Tottenham, with loan moves in England’s lower leagues not always going to plan.
He bagged Europa League goals against Elfsborg, Roma, Ferencvaros and Galatasaray before their run in that competition was ended by Spurs.
O’Shea said: “Troy made that call himself, he thought he had to try something a bit different.
“That’s the bravery and the confidence he has.”
And he believes a move to a bigger league could be on the cards.
O’Shea added: “If Troy is assisting and scoring goals like he is, that will happen naturally.”
