Harvey Vale says he can already feel the Troy Parrott effect - even though he has only been in camp for a couple of days.
The newest member of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s squad has revealed that Parrott’s heroics for club and country has created serious belief within the camp ahead of tomorrow night’s play-off semi-final against Czechia.
Vale watched on last November as Parrott bagged a brace against Portugal and followed that up three days later with a hat-trick against Hungary.
He described the AZ Alkmaar striker’s winner as “a moment that united everyone” - and that he could sense the impact of those goals as soon as he stepped into camp.
QPR attacker Vale - a European Under-19 Championships winning captain with England - has been drafted into the squad for the first time.
And he declared: “It puts faith and belief in everyone, how [Parrott] has been playing for his club and for his country in the past few camps.
“That's what it does, it puts you in a good place to believe. You've always got a chance and he’s in brilliant form so it lifts everyone else up as well.”
Vale has pledged to “work my nuts off” to help Ireland secure a first World Cup spot in 24 years.
The exciting QPR attacker can operate across attacking midfield, but is mostly deployed on the right-hand-side at club level, where he has weighed in with three goals and three assists so far this season.
He even spent a bit of time at left-back while on-loan from Chelsea to Bristol Rovers during the 2023/24 season.
That was his most prolific campaign to date in terms of appearances, with Vale playing 47 times in all competitions.
Asked what he could bring to the Ireland set-up now that he has been parachuted in for the World Cup play-offs, he highlighted his attacking potential.
“I think it is that sort of attacking quality, especially since I have been in good form recently, I have got a few goals and assists in the last few games,” he said.
“I will also work 100 percent, work my nuts off, but it is that little bit of quality, whether it is a shot or a pass when we need it.”
Former England underage captain Vale grabbed a goal and an assist against Leicester City just a day after it was revealed that he had switched allegiance to Ireland.
He hopes to bring that form into the play-offs - and that it encourages Heimir Hallgrímsson to hand him a key role tomorrow night against Czechia.
“[My current form] means I am playing good football, and the staff and manager can see that,” he said.
“So it means that if I am called upon and asked to play, hopefully I will be ready and continue that form.
“I could play anywhere if needed. I think the group sees me as that right wing number 10, so just behind the striker role.
“That's the role where I've played the most this season so I probably feel most comfortable there.
“But yeah I have played a lot of positions and I'm obviously willing to play anywhere.”
Want to see more of the stories you love from the Irish Mirror? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Irish Mirror as a preferred source, simply click here.
Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.
