Troy Parrott set for La Liga debut against Valencia

What Pellegrini had some words to say about Parrott

Parrott has been named in the matchday squad to face Valencia at the Mestalla, with kick-off at 8pm and coverage in Ireland on Premier Sports 2.

The 37-cap Ireland international joined Betis from AZ Alkmaar last Thursday for a fee believed to be around €20 million, arriving too late for Friday's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad.

If he gets on the pitch, he will become just the 11th Irish player to appear in La Liga. Matt Doherty was the 10th, joining Atlético Madrid on loan in 2023.

Manuel Pellegrini, Real Betis' manager, had this to say about Parrot: "He's in the squad because he is ready to play.

"He is a player who has an important challenge in front of him, to make a leap in his career. He has many attributes to do it. He is not only a number nine.

"I hope he is an important reinforcement because there are many games to play."

The Chilean also backed him to adapt to a new league and system.

"He has to adapt to the different ways we have offensively but I think that, in football, his is the position that has the least tactical influence," Pellegrini said.

"He's a good goalscorer, he knows how to find space. He has that instinct for the ball and I think he's going to do well."

It caps a rapid few weeks for a forward who helped AZ Alkmaar win the Dutch Super Cup before his move south. Tuesday night in Valencia is a considerable step up, as The42 reported.