Tottenham loanee Troy Parrott heroics almost leads Excelsior to insane relegation play-off comeback
For Tottenham Hotspur youngster Troy Parrott, his recent performance for Excelsior Rotterdam might represent a defining moment in his promising career.
The teenage Irish striker scored an incredible hat-trick in a game that nearly saw one of the most spectacular comebacks in Dutch football history.
His team came agonizingly close to overcoming a four-goal first-leg deficit and retaining their status in the Eredivisie.
Excelsior finished 16th in the Dutch top flight this season, prompting a four-team play-off to determine the final slot in the division for the 2024–25 season.
They won their first tie 9-2 on aggregate, with Parrott scoring a hat-trick in the second game. They would next play NAC in the decisive tie but lost 6-2 in the first leg away from home.
Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 20th minute of the game with a nice move and finish to put his team ahead 1-0.
He scored his second penalty soon after the half-hour mark before Boy Kemper’s own goal put Excelsior ahead 3-0 at the break.
This meant they just needed one more goal on the night to draw the game, which Parrott scored with a header in the 50th minute.
However, NEC retook the aggregate advantage a few minutes later with a goal from Casper Staring.
Troy Parrott has had a second hat-trick in three games and had Excelsior on the verge of overturning a 6-2 first-leg deficit in their relegation play-off.
Unfortunately, a goal was conceded, crushing Excelsior’s hope, and they lost 6-7 on aggregate, meaning they’ll be relegated.
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The 22-year-old Irish centre-forward will now return to Spurs this summer after his successful loan spell with 21 starts, 17 goals, and 5 assists in a team that was struggling all season.
Parrott has been attracting attention from clubs such as Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV Eindhoven, which are reportedly interested in bringing him back to the Netherlands next season.
