Troy Parrott looks to create new Irish memories in Lille as Betis begin Champions League campaign

Troy Parrott once watched Robbie Brady send Ireland into a frenzy in Lille from his home in Dublin. On Tuesday, he will walk into the same stadium as a Champions League player with Real Betis.

Brady's goal against Italy at Euro 2016, already a decade old, secured Ireland's place in the last 16. The roof at Stade Pierre-Mauroy was closed that night, intensifying the noise as supporters celebrated amid flying plastic glasses and cans. Parrott, then a young teenager, later said the scene made him dream of creating similar moments as a Republic of Ireland international. Brady is now one of his closest friends in the Ireland set-up.

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Robbie Brady brings us all to our feet in Lille

Parrott will return to the stadium as Betis begin only their second Champions League campaign against Lille. His club career has already produced a major highlight this season: he came off the bench on Friday to score a late winner against Real Madrid.

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I'm very happy for Parrott. He made a mistake against Levante, but [on Friday] he had the instinct to score that goal. It's going to give him a lot of confidence. It was a goal of great effort and power.

"I'm very happy for Parrott," Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini said. "He made a mistake against Levante, but [on Friday] he had the instinct to score that goal. It's going to give him a lot of confidence. It was a goal of great effort and power."

While Parrott's form has improved, Evan Ferguson is waiting for an opportunity to restart his career after injury problems disrupted his loan spell at Roma last season. He underwent ankle surgery in March and is recovering at Brighton. Manager Fabian Hurzeler said Ferguson was getting closer to a return but could not give a firm timetable. Ireland's upcoming Nations League matches against Kosovo, Israel and Austria will come too soon.

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He's getting closer. I can't give a clear timescale for when he will be back. Everyone knows what Evan is capable of doing. He proved it a few years ago here at Brighton. I think he was one of the best strikers in the Premier League, so hopefully he can get back on track.