The 'unbelievable' quality behind Hibs star's Hampden faith as Owen Elding issues derby discipline plea
Irish attacker relishing new role leading the Hibs line
Owen Elding is convinced that an “unbelievable” Hibs squad has the quality to bring down Hearts at Hampden – as long as Marink Reedijk’s men keep 11 men on the park. And the Irish ace believes the new style of play under Dutch coach Reedijk is guaranteed to produce chances for the underdogs in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
Three red cards in the last two Edinburgh derbies have serious undermined Hibs, who finished with nine men in the final cross-city contest of last season, then saw Jack Iredale dismissed as they chased the game in September’s 3-1 home loss to their capital rivals. Elding believes the key for Hibs at the national stadium is to fight hard – but stay on the right side of the law.
Red card curse must be lifted
“I think you have to embrace it,” he said, when asked about the pressure and expectations surrounding this game, the 20-year-old Irishman adding: “There's nothing to be afraid of.
“We know we've got an unbelievable squad. It's just about showing it now.
“I think we do have to take it as just another game as well, without getting too carried away. In the last derby, as you saw, emotions can take over.
“If you go down to ten, nine men, it's a mountain to climb straight away. So, obviously, keeping the head and discipline is a massive thing as well. But we've got quality all over the pitch to get the job done.”
Asked if he’d seen areas where Hibs could create clear scoring chances in the biggest game of the season so far, Elding declared: “Yes, definitely. Obviously, we'll have a look at them as well. So, we'll go into detail of where we can hurt them.
“Yes, there's chances, especially the way we play now, because we're going to create loads of chances. And it's just about being clinical in front of goal then.
“Yes, we’re making chances, maybe not quite clicked in terms of all the goals hitting yet. I think it's just keep doing what we're doing. I think it's going to happen.”
Defending on front foot
In the absence of a better option, Elding has been carrying the burden as lone striker in recent games, leading the line with enthusiasm – and relishing the challenge, the former Sligo Rovers star saying: “Yeah, it's been different. Obviously, I've changed my position lately, but it's one I'm really, really enjoying.
“I think it depends on what we come up against. Obviously, a back four or a back five, different roles in that.
“But I think we're more aggressive without the ball. We're on the front foot, we're taking the game to the opposition. I think now it's just about getting the final ball right and then obviously the game management at the other end.
“I think it's just keep doing what we're doing. I think it's going to happen. We deserved more from the Celtic game, created chances. We definitely deserved more from St Mirren on Wednesday night.
“We probably didn't create as much as we'd like on Wednesday, but the all-round play for 75, 80 minutes was really good. We dominated the game. So, I think once we do get that one, two, three chances in a game, we've really got to capitalise on it.”
Owen Elding was promoting Hearts v Hibernian live on Sunday on Premier Sports from 2pm. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin, STV Player and Amazon Prime as an add on subscription.