Troy Parrott should be given time and space to become his own man, according to Glenn Whelan.
The Tottenham teenage sensation made his senior Ireland debut with a start in Thursday’s 3-1 friendly win over New Zealand.
And the 17-year-old will be on the bench for tonight’s all-important qualifier with Denmark where a moment of magic could send Ireland to the Euros.
Whelan, 35, was stuck by Parrott’s confidence around the squad this week.
But the Ireland veteran told reporters: “You guys and everyone need to let him get on with his football because he's only 17 and don’t put too much pressure on him.
“Don’t be comparing him to Robbie [Keane] let him be Troy. Because there is a player there and let him go on and be Robbie.
“But for now let him grow up.”
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