Hibs star shares why he picked Easter Road transfer amid 'a lot of interest' as he makes exciting declaration
The forward had other transfer options but opted for a move to Hibs.
Owen Elding has thanked Hibs head coach David Gray for giving him the backing to play regular senior football and says his transfer decision is justified.
Red tape has prevented the striker from international involvement but he has been in training with the senior Republic of Ireland team ahead of friendly matches against Qatar last Saturday and Canada this weekend. Elding joined Hibs from League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers in the winter transfer window as he replaced Kieron Bowie after his record-breaking move to Hellas Verona in Italy.
Three goals have been netted in 13 games while replacing Bowie as Gray’s physical focal point up front. Still only 20, there were several options available to Elding after a breakthrough campaign at Sligo, but he opted for Hibs through the lure of regular games in a senior environment. Elding feels it has paid off big time.
Owen Elding on transfer to Hibs
“There was a lot of interest,” said Elding. “I felt like I had to pick what was right for me and my family as well. I wanted to take that next step in my career and keep playing senior football. I felt like going into U21s at, no disrespect, probably a bigger club was a step backwards for me.
“I wanted to keep gaining that first-team experience and kicking on. I definitely had that confidence in myself to go and perform straight away. Obviously it helps massively when the manager’s got so much trust in you at such a young age as well. Leaving home as well is tough but I feel like I’ve adapted to Scottish football quite quickly. I really relished it.
“Coming from Sligo, I’d done well that year with the breakout season. Then obviously it’s a big step-up to the Scottish Premiership. I feel I’ve adapted pretty quick, and there’s more to come.”
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Halgrimsson was keen to secure Elding’s international future as a lingering passport issue means he is still eligible to play for England. As he jets out to Canada with the Irish team, the Hibs striker admits it’s been an outstanding experience to date, thanking Halgrimsson for the initial call that set the trip in motion.
Owen Elding on training with Republic of Ireland
“Someone told me that he was going to ring me, so I knew it was coming,” the Hibs striker said to reporters as his training continues. “I think I had training. I literally just got out of bed and he said, ‘Are you free for a chat?’ — so I jumped in the shower quick and gave him a call. He said he had a press conference and asked was it ok to tell the media that I was committed?
“There was a bit of interest with my whole family being English. They would have liked me to play for England but me obviously growing up in the country for so long, it’s all I’ve ever known so it’s what I wanted to do. It feels like he’s got a lot of confidence in me, a lot of belief, so all I have to do is keep performing at club level and hopefully I’m selected for the next camp.”
“It has been an unbelievable experience so far. It’s obviously a bit surreal coming in at the start and seeing all the big names and a load of Premier League footballers. But to come in and get that experience of international football is massive. When I spoke to Heimir about coming in, he wanted me to come in for this camp, get a feel of the group, get a feel of international football and all that. It shows that he’s got big ambitions for me.
“Coming in and getting that taste of international football, like I said, it’ll only help me in my club as well, giving me that confidence to go on and kick on. I was itching to get on the pitch against Qatar. I don’t have the passport yet but that should be resolved quite soon.”
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