Hibs star in 'mad hold-up' admission as red tape delays international switch ahead of World Cup play-offs
Republic of Ireland working hard to secure clearance for English-born forward
Hibs striker Owen Elding’s international ambitions are being delayed by a “mad hold-up” with paperwork, according to the English-born teenager. But the former Sligo Rovers star is still hopeful that he’ll get clearance to fulfil his dream of playing for the Republic of Ireland.
The FAI have been working to secure Elding, who crossed the Irish Sea aged just seven when dad Anthony signed for Sligo, as an option for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team, who face Czechia in a World Cup play-off semi-final in just over a fortnight. Although it’s unlikely that he’ll get clearance in time to make that squad, his old boss at Sligo – John Russell – believes the youngster can be an immediate hit on the international stage.
Should the Republic get past the Czechs AND defeat either Denmark or North Macedonia in their final at the end of the month, Elding could easily come into Hallgrimsson’s thinking for the World Cup. And he’s absolutely desperate to make the leap.
Two goals in three starts for January signing
“Yeah, obviously that's the plan, to get into the national team,” said the forward, who has already scored two goals in just three starts for Hibs since arriving late in the January transfer window. “Obviously, I can just focus on what I do at club level here at Hibs. If I can score a week in, a week out, then obviously it opens the eyes to the national team manager. I can just take care of what I do here every week.
“There's some mad hold-up for some reason. Like I said, I've just got to keep playing my football here and hopefully it all gets done.
“I moved over when I was seven, so I've lived there long enough now, I think. Yeah, there's been loads of back and forth now, paperwork and all that. I think everything's done on my end. It's just waiting now. It's a waiting game.
“I think the FAI are keen enough to get it done. But obviously, it's a complicated process. We'll see.”
Asked if anything might be done before the play-offs, Elding admitted: “I'm not sure, to be honest. I wouldn't say so.”
Elding has support back home - and at East Mains
Yet to speak to anyone on the senior team’s coaching staff, with the FAI admin department taking charge of his switch of nationality, Elding has been getting a little encouragement from Hibs team-mate Jamie McGrath, a player with his own ambitions to return to the Ireland squad.
“Jamie’s really good,” he said, adding: “He obviously helped me settle in, showed me around the place and all that. So, obviously, having a fellow Irishman here and to work with every day is good.”
Commenting on Russell’s public words of praise for a young talent who won multiple individual awards last season, Elding said: “Yeah, it's always nice to hear, obviously. I was with John for two years and he's an unbelievable manager. He really helped me progress to where I am today.
“Just his management towards the young lads, coming in, helping me find my feet, giving me minutes here and there in the first season. Then, that real breakthrough season last season, he really put that trust into me to go and play and perform.”
If Russell acted as a guide and mentor, there’s no doubt that having a dad who played the game professionally – Anthony played for nearly 20 clubs, including Leeds United and Ferencvaros, during a 13-year-career – definitely shaped young Elding’s development, the powerful athlete admitting: “Obviously, coming from a footballing house, I don't really have much choice. But I've loved it since I was able to kick a ball.
“Mum and Dad obviously travelled everywhere for all the games, home and away, wherever I've been. So, yeah, that's always good.
“They're over now for the game tomorrow, so hopefully we can get a goal and a win. They've been at every home game so far.
“Yeah, they love it. They really like the feel of the club. Obviously, a nice stadium, good fans, so we can't complain.”
This is the first time Elding has lived away from home. Adapting not only to a new style of football but an entirely new environment, it’s remarkable that he’s settled so quickly.
“Obviously, I'm here on my own, but family are back and forward, so it's not too bad,” he said. “I'm living in a nice area, so it's all going well so far.
“Yeah, it's the first time I've lived alone. My cooking? It's getting better. I've just got to start from scratch, but it's getting there.”