Scott Parker praises Irish players as Bournemouth are promoted to the Premier League

Luke Jennings

“Some of these boys have come from being rejected by Premier League clubs.”

Scott Parker praised Bournemouth’s Irish players after the club achieved promotion to the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Mark Travers kept his 19th clean sheet of the season as Bournemouth beat Nottingham Forrest 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium, while Ireland midfielder Robbie Brady was on the bench and Gavin Kilkenny has made 13 appearances for the club in the current campaign.

The Cherries’ victory confirmed their return to the Premier League for next season, having spent the last two seasons in the Championship since their relegation in 2020.

Travers wins automatic promotion with Bournemouth.

Travers will be playing Premier League football next season alongside Bournemouth’s fellow Irishman Kilkenny. Brady is out of contract but may extend his stay at the club.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Travers was instrumental in Bournemouth’s promotion push making 44 appearances in the Championship this season.

He is also in line to win the EFL Golden Glove, with the most clean sheets in the division ahead of Huddersfield Town shot-stopper Lee Nicholls, who has 18.

Scott Parker highlights the achievement of winning promotion.

Parker highlighted Travers when discussing the younger members of the squad being influential for his side this season.

The 41-year-old also credited Kilkenny for reaching the Cherries first-team through the club academy, as well as ex-Premier League players such as Brady making an impact.

Parker said how “immensely proud” he was of everyone for winning promotion to the Premier League, whilst admitting he was emotional over the achievement.

“We faced some challenges and it is a young group with players like Mark Travers, Jordan Zemura, and Jaidon Anthony. Everyone lost sight of what these boys are and what they’ve done,” Parker said at his post-match press conference.

“This is the first season they have played in the league and some of these boys have come from being rejected by Premier League clubs, while Gavin Kilkenny came through a category three academy here.

“I’m emotional, of course I am. The staff, the players, the owner, and everyone associated with this club deserves this moment so I’m immensely proud and pleased for everyone.”