Hibernian striker Owen Elding's first official call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the start of their Nations League campaign was a long time coming. The 20-year-old was included in Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad for friendlies against Qatar and Canada in May and June, but only as a training player. He was ineligible to feature in those games as he was still waiting for his Irish citizenship to come through, though Hallgrimsson invited him into camp to get a better look at the youngster.
Elding was born in England but has lived in the Republic of Ireland from the age of six, when his family made the move after his father Anthony signed for Sligo Rovers. He therefore qualifies for the Republic of Ireland on residency grounds and he began the process of applying for Irish citizenship last year, but there was a bizarre reason for the delay that left him unable to pull on the green shirt in the last international window: fuel protests in the Republic of Ireland in April led to the cancellation of a mandatory ceremony to receive his Irish passport. But with passport now in hand, Elding is hoping to make his long-awaited Republic of Ireland debut in this extended four-game window.
Coleman not included in Republic of Ireland squad Hallgrimsson spoke to players individually about Israel games Owen, like his father Anthony, played for Sligo after coming through the club's academy. He made his debut as a 17-year-old in October 2023 and then enjoyed a breakout season in the Irish Premier Division in 2025, scoring 16 goals and providing five assists on his way to winning the PFAI Young Player of the Year award that season. His form for Sligo attracted interest from across the Irish Sea and Scottish Premiership side Hibs swooped in to sign him in January this year on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
The striker has impressed since moving to Scotland, scoring six goals in 22 games, including three in nine outings in the current campaign. His call-up to the summer window provided time for him to integrate with the squad and also whetted his appetite for more involvement going forward. "Definitely getting that experience with the first-team international set-up was massive," he said in August.
"Obviously I couldn't play the game but it was just a chance for me to go in and show the staff and everyone what I could do. "Just being around the boys for the camp and seeing what it's like is something I want to be a part of." He certainly left an impression on Hallgrimsson, who has included him in the squad for games against Kosovo and Austria either side of a double-header against Israel in a 12-day stretch. While his involvement may be limited this window as he works his way back to full fitness after a recent injury and competes with in-form and established forwards Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Tom Cannon, Hallgrimsson is certainly excited about Elding's potential.
"He really impressed us with his attitude and his character and how he presented himself as a player," said the Icelander. "He has been struggling with injury, he's been coming back, but you can see the quality this kid has."
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