After a headed goal on his full debut, Owen Elding talks about growing up near Johnny Kenny, choosing Hibs to continue senior development and targeting a starting spot at Celtic Park.
Owen Elding marked his first full start for Hibernian with a headed goal — a tidy, confident finish that underlined why the teenage striker swapped Sligo for Scottish football. The move wasn’t a gamble or a headline-chasing transfer; Elding describes it as a deliberate step in a measured plan to earn minutes, learn from experienced coaches and develop in senior football.
A promising first impression
Elding’s opener came just before half-time from a short corner routine. He timed a run across a defender, met the cross with a glancing header and steered it beyond the goalkeeper. For him, the goal was less about glamour and more about validation: “Minutes on the pitch are the metric I care about,” he says.
That playing time, he believes, is what will sharpen his game faster than another season in youth or reserve football.
Why Hibernian?
Elding had offers to consider but chose Hibernian because it offered a clear pathway into men’s football. He wanted a dressing room and coaching setup that would push him into first-team action rather than keep him in under-21 fixtures.
The mix of experienced staff, a supportive squad and the atmosphere at Easter Road convinced him this was the place to keep progressing.
Local roots and a familiar blueprint
Growing up near Sligo, Elding watched players from his area take similar routes. Johnny Kenny’s rise — from local prospect to Celtic and loan spells elsewhere — offered a practical example of how to build a career. Elding plans to speak with Kenny about life at a big club and how to cope with expectations. That kind of local mentorship, plus everyday family input, has helped shape his approach.
Family influence and daily work
Family plays a big role. His father, Anthony — a former striker with spells at Leeds United and Sligo — gives tactical and mental guidance. Elding says he only has faint memories of watching his dad play, but he values the immediate, practical feedback he gets after games. That hands-on support complements the club’s coaching and the routines that underpin his development: targeted training, recovery work and a focus on finishing.
Adapting to Scottish football
Coaches in Scotland stress quicker tempo and heavier physical contact. Elding has studied those demands and plans to improve his hold-up play, pressing triggers and composure when finishing under pressure. He’s aware that consistent first-team minutes tend to accelerate a player’s development and market value, so his immediate job is to translate training gains into on-field contributions.
The goal and what comes next
That header in his first start won’t change his mindset. He wants to build a string of solid performances and earn a regular place in the starting XI. A trip to Celtic Park looms as a big test — one he expects will influence selection and give him a measure of where he stands. Longer-term, Elding aims to turn regular minutes and goals into opportunities abroad, following the path other Irish players have taken.
A pragmatic outlook
Elding’s thinking is pragmatic rather than fanciful. He waited until the end of a strong campaign in Ireland before moving, preferring a club that would offer real senior exposure. He talks about routines, clear milestones set by coaches and earning trust through consistent performances. That steady, workmanlike approach — not flash or hype — is his chosen route.
In short
Elding’s debut goal was a neat snapshot: good movement, a clean finish and the sort of moment that can kickstart confidence. Behind it sits a thoughtful plan — local role models, family guidance, targeted coaching and a focus on game time — all aimed at turning potential into regular, measurable progress. If he keeps delivering, opportunities will follow.
