Hibs’ player Owen Elding earned his first call-up to represent his country last month as part of the Republic of Ireland’s international friendly double-header against Qatar and Canada.
The 20-year-old was called-up by Heimir Hallgrímsson as a ‘training player’ and was unable to feature in either of their two friendlies whilst waiting on his Irish citizenship application to be finalised.
Despite that, the experience, training alongside some top class players has fuelled his burning desire to succeed for his country in the future.
“It was an unbelievable experience and something you can’t take for granted,” said Elding.
“It was a little surreal at the start meeting – being teammates with a room full of Premier League players and players that play for massive clubs in Europe – but it was something I really relished, and all the lads made me feel really welcome and made me feel like I belonged at that level.
“I think being involved and getting a feel of my first international camp for any age group was huge for me because next time, if selected, I will know what to expect and be ready to perform.
“I learnt so much in such a space of time from the experienced professionals like Seamus Coleman, Chiedozie Ogbene and loads more and what it takes to play international football and play at the highest level week in, week out.”
Having arrived from Sligo Rovers late in the winter transfer window, Elding has taken to Scottish football and life in Leith in his stride, scoring on his first start for Hibs against St Mirren and notching three goals in his first eight games.
“It all came about pretty quickly.
“A couple of weeks before the camp, I was at HTC and had a message from Heimir (Hallgrímsson) asking if I had some free time to take a quick call.
“Obviously a lot of thoughts were running through my mind as to what he was going to say, but when I called him, he told me that I could be involved as a training player for the Qatar and Canada games, and it was definitely an opportunity I couldn’t say no to.
“To go away with the national team at any age is a proud feeling, and for me to be called in only a couple of months into my Hibs career was definitely a special feeling.
“It was definitely a special feeling for me and my family to be called in even as a training player and know I couldn’t take part in the games and get a cap.
“It was a massive opportunity for me to showcase myself to the manager and the staff even before I qualify to play football matches for Ireland.
“I can’t wait to get my papers sorted so I’m eligible to hopefully represent my country if selected on the biggest stage.”
Elding was joined on international duty by Jamie McGrath, who received a late call-up by Hallgrímsson, and he said his Hibs team-mate helped him settle quickly.
“I was buzzing when I texted Jamie (McGrath), and he also said he was coming into the camp,” added Elding.
“Playing most weeks with Jamie at Hibs really made it easy for me to go in and be myself.
“It really helps when you see familiar faces around. I love playing alongside Jamie at Hibs, and I feel like we are really getting to know each other’s games inside out, and that will show next season.
“Jamie really pushes me to be better every week because I want to be the best on the pitch every week, and to be better than him on the day is a quite difficult ask, so he makes me perform even more.
“Hopefully soon I will be playing alongside him in the green of Ireland too, as that would be very special.
“It definitely has given me even more motivation to get a good pre-season under my belt and really kick on this season because the UEFA Nations League is only around the corner, and if I have a really strong start to this season, hopefully I can be a full Irish international and get my first cap and many more.
“I feel under the guidance of David (Gray) and his staff I’m only going to get better and better, so I can’t wait to get back into pre-season and really kick on this season.”
