Troy Parrott has been handed the opportunity to stake his claim to lead the line for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign as the young Dubliner has been named to start up front against Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League play-off first leg.
The AZ Alkmaar frontman has been in fine form for his club in both the Dutch top flight as well as in Europe and he has been rewarded with a start in Plovdiv tonight.
Ireland are looking to grab a first-leg advantage in the Hristo Botev Stadium in this UEFA Nations League play-off with the return leg back in Dublin on Sunday.
Heimir Hallgrimsson appears to have set out his side in an attacking 4-2-1-3 formation with Robbie Brady apparently asked to take on a more advanced role up the left to support Parrott with Mikey Johnston named on the right of the front three.
Finn Azaz will link midfield and attack with Josh Cullen and Jason Knight sitting in behind and in front of the back four, marshalled by captain Nathan Collins.
Matt Doherty has got the nod to start on the right of the defensive four with Ryan Manning slotting in at left back.
Dara O'Shea will start in a central position alongside Collins while Caoimhin Kelleher, as expected starts in goal.
Bulgaria: Dimitar Mitov; Viktor Popov, Fabian Nuernberger, Zhivko Atanasov, Alex Petkov; Ilia Gruev, Filip Krastev, Lukas Petkov, Kiril Despodov (capt); Andrian Kraev, Marin Petkov
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Matt Doherty, Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins (capt), Ryan Manning; Mikey Johnston, Josh Cullen, Finn Azaz, Jason Knight, Robbie Brady; Troy Parrott
Referee: Benoit Bastien (FRA)
