Celtic have their minds fully focused on Europe for the minute.
In a romantic throwback to his iconic UEFA Cup run in 2003, Martin O’Neill is gearing up to face German giants Stuttgart in the Europa League knockout rounds on Thursday.
But there’s no midweek action for Hibs, Celtic’s upcoming league opponents next weekend. David Gray’s side have lost both of their meetings with the Hoops so far this season.
But one of their new January signings, Irish starlet Owen Elding, is hoping to change that.
Speaking ahead of the meeting at Celtic Park, Elding revealed that a surprise Hoops player is a ‘big inspiration’ of his.
What is the biggest difference you have noticed in this Celtic side under Martin O’Neill?
Hibs star Owen Elding on Celtic Park visit
The 19-year-old joined the Hibees from Sligo Rovers last month after winning the PFAI Young Player of the Year award for 2025.
He had interest from across Europe, and the signing has been hailed as a coup for the Easter Road side.
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Speaking ahead of the visit, he named on-loan Hoops man Johnny Kenny as a role model, given that the pair live around the corner from each other.
He said: “Johnny Kenny lives literally round the corner from me in Sligo. He had a good time and Sligo and got his own move.
“He’s been flying at Bolton since moving on loan from Celtic. He was a big inspiration of mine coming from Sligo and the same village.
“I just want to carry on what he did. Johnny wants to play football, that’s why he’s gone to Bolton. I think he was unlucky not to get more minutes at Celtic.
“He is good, a lovely lad as well. I’ll give him a text this week and see what it’s like at Celtic.
“There are a lot of Celtic fans in Sligo and they won’t be too happy if we beat them next week.
“All my pals are Celtic fans.”
Elding will be hoping to keep his hometown quiet on Sunday, but Hibs will need to put in a special performance to do so… the teenager was three years old the last time they won at Celtic Park.
History in the making?
Celtic’s recent Irish players
It’s no secret that Dermot Desmond is always keen to add Irish talent to Celtic’s ranks – after all, he personally funded Robbie Keane’s signing in 2010.
Desmond is also a shareholder in Dublin side Shamrock Rovers, an agreement that led to the Hoops’ signing of Liam Scales in 2021.
Kenny came to Celtic from Sligo a year later, but had to return to Ireland before making his Parkhead breakthrough, spending two years on loan at the aforementioned Shamrock Rovers.
The Celts still have their eyes on the Irish market, being linked with teenagers Vinnie Leonard and Michael Noonan in recent months.
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