Exclusive: Troy Parrott on why he didn’t get advice from Harry Kane before Millwall loan switch

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Troy Parrott has explained why he picked Millwall as the perfect loan move – and it didn’t even involve one word of advice from Harry Kane.

The 18-year-old Republic of Ireland international started training with the Lions at the end of last week and is due to be on loan at the Championship outfit for the whole season.

Kane  was the same age when he also made a temporary switch from Tottenham to SE16 – scoring nine times in 27 appearances – before going on to become one of Europe’s most feared frontmen.

But when it came to selling Parrott on linking up with Gary Rowett’s Lions it is Jayson Molumby who supplied a glowing reference. The Brighton midfielder flourished during his temporary stint in South London last season.

“I never got the chance to speak to him [Kane] about Millwall because we had broken up at Tottenham before the decision was made,” said Parrott. “I had seen he came here on loan as well and has gone on to do amazing things. I think it will be good for me as well.

“It was Spurs’ decision whether they were going to let me go – but picking a club was all my decision.

“I heard a lot of good things about the place – I’m good mates with Jay and he told me a lot. I’ve known him a year or two because we’ve both been in the Ireland set-up. I get along really well with him. We became mates really fast.

“I heard Jay played 38 games last season and everyone who talks about that says he did really well. Hopefully I can do the same.”

The centre-forward was just 17 when he played at senior level for club and country, even claiming an assist for the latter on his debut in a 3-1 victory over New Zealand.

He was also top scorer in the U19 UEFA Youth League last season with six goals in the group stage.

Parrott’s debut for Tottenham came in an EFL Cup loss to Colchester in September.

He made two substitute appearances in the Premier League – a 5-0 victory over Burnley in December and then a 3-2 reverse to Wolves in north London in March.

Parrott is not setting any goal target for his spell with Millwall.

“For now it’s too early to say,” he said. “It’s not something I’ve thought thoroughly about.

“I just want to play as many as I can, that’s it really. I haven’t had a good run at it so far, so I just want to get out and play a lot.

“Last season at Spurs was amazing. Even training up there [with the first team] was really helpful for me. Getting the games was a bonus. Then playing for Ireland as well was the biggest dream come true.”

Parrott signed for Tottenham in July 2017. He had also been linked with Celtic, Arsenal and Chelsea after catching the eye playing for Belvedere.

“I like to think they are one of the best schoolboy teams in Dublin,” said Parrott. “I was in trials for some other clubs as well.

“I don’t know who came from Tottenham to scout me but then I got told by Belvedere that they wanted to take me.

“I had been on trial at Celtic and they wanted to have me back.

“But as soon as I went to Spurs I felt at home. It is a bit like that at Millwall – as soon as I spoke to Gary [Rowett] and the people at Millwall I had the same feeling as when I first went to Spurs. That’s one of the main reasons I picked there.

“Whatever I do and wherever I go in life it is about the people. Everyone here has made me feel welcome – that’s been the case again in my first few days at Millwall.

“The lads have made it so easy so far. It’s just little things – like coming up to me if I’m sitting on my own. They’ve made me feel part of it.

“Shauny [Williams] is helping me settle in. But, to be fair, I can’t just mention Shauny because all of the lads have been like that.

“The conversation I had [with Rowett in the summer] was really basic. It was just getting to know him and I really like what I’ve seen from Gary and also what I saw last season. Millwall came eighth last season and weren’t far off a play-off push.

“I’ve been watching the Championship since I was young – it’s always looked good and a really exciting league. I can’t wait to get going.

“I’ve already said how little it takes to get the [Millwall] fans off their seats and that is something I want to experience this season.”