‘I believe it's close' – Sligo Rovers boss claims ‘talk in the background' for starlet Owen Elding to play for Ireland
JOHN RUSSELL believes Sligo Rovers hotshot Owen Elding should be an Ireland Under-21.
The English-born 19-year-old is the son of Anthony Elding, who scored the dramatic late winner for
2
Owen Elding scored a stunning goal for Sligo Rovers against Bohemians
Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
2
John Russell urged the FAI to tie him down for Ireland
Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Young winger Elding netted a stunning goal to give
The Bit O'Red were minutes from holding out for what would have been a third win in four games until James Clarke headed Bohs' equaliser in the 95th minute.
Elding's worldie — his eighth
strike
of the season — was similar to a cracker he scored against champions Shelbourne at Tolka Park last month.
And while manager Russell believes he is eligible to play for
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The Bit O'Red chief said: 'What a strike from Owen Elding. He's an incredible talent. And it's becoming a habit now.
'His technique is off the charts and he's been honing that for the last couple of years.
'He works hard, he stays after training and practises. And it's no coincidence that when the lights come on on a Friday, Saturday night, he's producing the goods.
'It's becoming a habit of him picking up the ball in those areas,
driving
forward and he's just setting himself up. An incredible goal.'
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While Elding extended his contract at Sligo until the end of the 2027 season in February, interest in him is rising.
Russell said: 'I would have felt Owen had a big season ahead of him.
Cork City fans watch League of Ireland clash against Dundalk in cinema
'And I spoke to the club and said, 'We need to tie him down'. And thankfully we have.
'There's no buyout clause or any of this stuff.
'So it's important as a club that we move forward and get proper fees for our talents if we are developing them.
'And I think whoever does eventually prise Owen away from the club, it'll be a hell of a fee.
'Obviously the window opens on July 1. There's a lot of clubs interested.
'I'm sure there was a lot there on Friday night. When a 19-year-old kid is doing what he's doing, there's always going to be bids coming in.
'So we'll just have to wait and see.
'He's a real talisman for a kid so young. And I love his mentality.
'As a manager, I don't want to be losing him. He's doing unbelievably this year.
'I think for his own development, having a full season is good for him.
'He's playing, he's confident, he's enjoying his
football
.
'It's all about playing now and for me he's got to be up for Young Player of the Year.
'I'd love to see him standing at the end of the season in Team of the Year, Young Player of the Year and getting the recognition for the talent that he has and also pulling us out of the position that we're in.'
GREEN SHOOTS
Russell insists Elding is eligible to play for Jim Crawford's Young Boys in Green, saying: 'Yes, he is.'
But the boss does not know why he has not been approached.
Russell said: 'That's a good question, which you should ask the FAI.
'I would have flagged this a while back.
'I think there is stuff going on in the background trying to get him nationalised.
'He has been in the country since he was 11 years of age.
'He was born in
'There is talk in the background and hopefully it can be resolved as he should be in that Under-21 squad.
'I think it's paperwork that the FAI have to organise.
'I'm led to believe it's close, so I think for everyone it would be good if it happened soon.'
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