Elding bets European breakthrough to unlock Ireland call‑up

Owen Elding is determined to push Hibernian toward a Conference League spot while hoping a European run will secure his place in the Republic of Ireland Nations League squad this autumn, after scoring in a 4‑3 aggregate win over Malisheva and awaiting his Irish passport.

The 20‑year‑old is eligible for the Republic on residency grounds and is waiting to receive his Irish passport after a protracted citizenship process.

Elding trained with Heimir Hallgrimsson's team during their camp at the end of last season and is hopeful of earning a first proper call‑up next month for Nations League matches against Kosovo, Israel and Austria.

"Obviously, I’m just waiting on the passport to come now, so, yeah, we’re nearly there," he said ahead of the first leg of Hibs’ Conference League third‑qualifying round tie at home to North Macedonian side Shkendija. "But obviously, it’s only what I do with club football that will determine if I’m in those squads or not. Starting again tomorrow, I need to put in a good performance and keep pushing on."

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Elding got his first taste of European football in the last round against Kosovan side Malisheva, where he scored in the second leg of Hibs’ 4‑3 aggregate triumph.

He is eager to help his team earn group‑stage football for the first time in their history, with IFK Gothenburg or Gent awaiting them in the play‑off round if they can get past Shkendija.

Jamie McGrath will miss out through injury as Hibernian face a Shkendija side that reached the knockout‑phase play‑off round of last season’s Conference League.

"We’re playing against a side that’s been in Europe for a few years now, established and did really well in the competition last season," said Hibs manager David Gray. "I’m not belittling the previous opponents in the last round, but we know it’s going to be a step up in quality. We’re going in the right direction in terms of physicality now as well, with more competitive games into the legs of players, but it will be a difficult test."

The contrast between Elding’s club European ambitions and his personal international goal shows that success on the continental stage could directly unlock his Ireland future, with the upcoming Shkendija tie offering the decisive platform.