Hibernian forward Owen Elding has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad once again as he continues his push for a senior international debut, with manager Heimir Hallgrimsson keeping close tabs on the young striker's development.
Elding, the son of former Sligo Rovers player Anthony Elding, followed in his father's footsteps by coming through the Bit O'Red's academy before making his senior debut for the club as a 17-year-old back in October 2023. His progress accelerated dramatically in 2025, when he enjoyed a breakout campaign in the League of Ireland Premier Division, scoring 16 goals and adding five assists. That form earned him the PFAI Young Player of the Year award and turned heads well beyond Irish shores.
His performances at Sligo eventually attracted the attention of Scottish Premiership club Hibernian, who moved to sign him in January on a lucrative four-and-a-half-year contract. Since making the switch, Elding has continued to impress, netting six goals in 22 appearances for the Edinburgh side, including three strikes in nine outings so far this season.
The 19-year-old first tasted international squad life during the summer window, an experience he says proved invaluable even though he did not feature on the pitch. "Definitely getting that experience with the first-team international set-up was massive," Elding 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."
That taste of senior international football has only sharpened his hunger for more involvement, and Hallgrimsson has rewarded his development by naming him in the squad once again for a demanding run of fixtures. Ireland face Kosovo and Austria, sandwiching a double-header against Israel, in a hectic 12-day period that will test the depth of the Icelandic manager's squad.
Elding's route into the senior setup has not been entirely smooth, however. He is currently working his way back from a recent injury and faces stiff competition for a place in attack from established and in-form forwards such as Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Tom Cannon. As a result, his game time during this international window may be limited.
Despite the competition, Hallgrimsson has made clear he sees plenty to admire in the young Hibs forward. "He really impressed us with his attitude and his character and how he presented himself as a player," the Ireland boss said. "He has been struggling with injury, he's been coming back, but you can see the quality this kid has."
For Elding, simply being included in the squad represents another step in a rapid rise that has taken him from Sligo's academy ranks to the fringes of Scottish top-flight football and now into contention for full international honours. Whether or not he earns his first cap during this window, the striker's trajectory suggests it may only be a matter of time before he features prominently for his country.
With Ireland's attacking options currently in good form, patience will likely be required, but Hallgrimsson's public backing of Elding's potential suggests the teenager remains firmly on the international radar as he continues his recovery and looks to force his way into contention on merit.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.