Sunday September 20th 2026
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Ewan Hornell
It has been a long and tedious process for Owen Elding to get his Irish passport and be officially eligible to represent Ireland.
Elding, born in England, moved to Ireland aged six after his father signed for Sligo Rovers. He qualifies for Ireland through residency but fuel protests in April meant his mandatory passport ceremony was cancelled and his wait to make his international debut was extended.
Ireland manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson, included Elding in his squad for May and Junes fixtures against Canada and Qatar despite Elding only being eligible to train with the squad, a clear indicator that the youngster had caught Hallgrimsson’s eye.
But now, after months of waiting, Elding has finally received his passport and is ready to make his debut on the international stage.
‘I fly to Dublin tonight and I’m really looking forward to it,’ he said.
‘It’s a proud moment for me and my family, getting called up for the first time.
‘It’s a massive chance for me. I was away with the squad in June in Canada and at home to Qatar. So it’s good that the manger had confidence in me to be around the squad and it shows he’s got big ambitions for me.
‘It’s been a long process getting the passport but thankfully its sorted now.
‘The Republic of Ireland is all I know, growing up there, so it’ll be a proud moment to make my debut.
Injury issues have delayed Elding’s momentum in recent weeks. He missed the games against Dundee, Hearts and St Johnstone.
So as well as making his Ireland debut, the international break provides a platform for him to rebuild his match sharpness when he does return to club football.
‘For me having been out the last couple of weeks, it’s a chance for to get back playing and regain some match fitness and train every day. So, hopefully I can come back after the break and kick on.’
Poor results and performances meant, although difficult, it was probably right for Hibs to part ways with David Gray.
But, after 12 years with the club Gray’s absence will weigh heavy, and that weight was very apparent in Hibs’ first half performance against Aberdeen.
However, a second half comeback showed some of the determination and quality the squad does have.
‘It’s been a difficult week for everyone involved,’ said Elding.
‘But, the boys showed really good character to come from behind.
‘It’s not nice to go behind at home, and its happened to much recently, but the boys stuck together and we got a really positive result in the end.
Gray took the majority of the flack for the poor performances. Elding discussed what squad discussions have taken place post Gray’s departure to try and strive for better results.
‘I think we had a couple chats about sticking together,’ he noted.
‘We mentioned that it was everyone inside the dressing room that could change what was going on out on the pitch.
‘I think you could see that today, that togetherness for us to come back and get a result.’
Whilst Elding is away on international duty, speculation and rumours on the next manager of Hibs will be rife. But, all he hopes is that the correct successor to Gray is chosen.
‘It’s a big decision. Theres big decisions every day at football clubs, and picking the manager is one of the biggest.
‘We’ve got a two week break now for the club to find someone and hopefully it’s the right man.
‘Everyone’s in the same boat with names flying about but until its set in stone then nobody really knows.’
After his move from Sligo Rovers in January, It was Gray who gave Elding a real platform to showcase himself. The pair haven’t yet had the chance to speak, but Elding notes they will, as he and everyone at Hibs looks to move forward.
‘I haven’t yet spoken to him, but I’ll give him a message and say what I need to.
‘Football moves on and we have to move on as a team as well. We have games coming think and fast after the break.’
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