By Mark McCadden
Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has packed his squad with plenty of exciting teenage talents – including Michael Noonan, Victor Ozhianvuna, and John and Cory O鈥橲ullivan.
However, he couldn鈥檛 help but acknowledge that Saturday鈥檚 League of Ireland opponents Sligo Rovers have a teen star of their own.
Owen Elding scored his eighth goal of the season in last week鈥檚 1-1 draw with Bohemians, and the 19-year-old鈥檚 form has even seen him linked with a switch to Ireland.
The FAI are actively looking to tie down the English-born youngster, who moved to Ireland at the age of seven when his dad Anthony signed for the Bit O鈥 Red in 2013.
And it鈥檚 not only the Irish set-up that has been alerted by Elding鈥檚 form this season; Serie A giants Juventus are also reportedly monitoring the youngster.
So far this season, Elding has notched goals against Bohs (twice), Shelbourne, Drogheda United, Waterford (twice), Galway United and Cork City.
He is looking to score his first against the Hoops – and Shamrock Rovers boss Bradley is well aware of the threat posed by Sligo鈥檚 teen star.
鈥淥wen is a good player. As you said, there are many good young players in our league,鈥 he said.
鈥淥wen is 19 and is a good young player. He has scored some really good goals, but Sligo have others too so it鈥檚 important that we鈥檙e ready and respect what Sligo bring to the table.鈥
Owen鈥檚 dad Anthony became a hero at The Showgrounds when he scored the winning goal in Rovers鈥 2013 FAI Cup final triumph over Drogheda United.
Meanwhile, Bradley expects more heroics from goalkeeper Ed McGinty when he comes up against his former club.
McGinty had two spells with Sligo Rovers, the first coming before a move to Oxford United. He returned to The Showgrounds last season on-loan, and when that spell ended he made a permanent move to Tallaght Stadium.
The 25-year-old made a crucial stop in last weekend鈥檚 win against Waterford, and Bradley said: 鈥淓d has been brilliant. I think early on in the season, you could see him getting used to the things we were asking of him.
鈥淎s the season has gone on, Ed has got more comfortable with that and has improved and there鈥檚 still more to come from him. His save in the first half was really really important.
鈥淲hen we were looking at goalkeepers last year, Ed was important as we felt he had similar characteristics to Alan Mannus, in that he could be quiet for long periods and then make big saves.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 give up many opportunities but when we do, and you will in any game, you鈥檙e hoping your keeper will make big saves and Ed makes big saves.
鈥淭hat first half save was a really important and difficult save, it was down at his feet, but that save gave us the platform.
鈥淚f Waterford score that, they had something to hold onto, so it was a really important save.鈥
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