Troy has to earn his Spurs says McCarthy

Mick McCarthy

Aidan Fitzmaurice

Mick McCarthy has told teenage striker Troy Parrott that he needs to get first-team experience with Spurs this month before he will be considered for a senior call-up.

Parrott made waves as he came off the bench to score twice for Ireland's U21 side in a 3-1 win over Sweden on Tuesday and there will be calls for McCarthy to promote the 17-year-old for the Euro 2020 double header against Georgia and Switzerland next month.

McCarthy says he will check on Parrott's form for Tottenham's U23 side but is reluctant to put him into the Irish senior squad without first-team experience.

"Where was Robbie (Keane) playing when I played him? Wolves first team. It does help, playing first team," McCarthy said.

"If he gets in the team and he plays for Spurs and he scores a couple of goals he should come and be in my squad then.

"I don't rule any of them out. But I've got eight games me, in which to qualify. I'm not trying and testing people."