SAM SARGEANT does not relish shooting drills against Sligo Rovers hotshot Owen Elding — but loves watching him test rival keepers.
Elding, 19, has burst on to the scene this year, becoming a Bit O’Red regular and scoring eight goals — including some eye-catching long-range efforts.
And Sligo stopper Sargeant admitted thunderbolts like last week’s goal in a 1-1 draw at Bohemians do not surprise him.
He smiled: “You know when you’re in a finishing drill with Owen and he’s gearing up to take a shot that you are going to do well to save it.
“He’s a great kid, a great player and as much as you get frustrated when he scores past you in training, that’s what you want him to be doing for the team.
“He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
Elding’s rockets will be on show again tonight as Sligo Rovers host top-of-the-table Shamrock Rovers.
The English-born frontman’s form has even led to the FAI contacting him about playing for Ireland as he moved here aged seven when his father Anthony joined the Bit O’Red.
And Showgrounds assistant manager Ryan Casey admitted that plenty of overseas clubs have also made calls.
He revealed: “There is going to be a lot of interest in him. He’s a young kid, he’s doing well, he’s scoring great goals, his all-round performances this year have been brilliant.
“He’s playing with a maturity and he works unbelievably hard for the team as well. But his goals are catching everyone’s eye at the moment.
“He was around the team last year, he’s been training with us full-time for a long time and we always knew how talented he was.
“We could see how talented he was last year but he’s had a real breakout year.
“Physically, his body has changed, he’s a man out there now, whereas last year you could see the teenager in him.
“His confidence has gone through the roof, we always knew he had the technical ability, all those things combined have made him really stand out this year.”
And after a tricky start to the season that saw Sligo Rovers bottom of the table, they have hit form since the summer break. Sargeant added: “We’ve come a long way where we’re pleased with the result but disappointed not to take more.
“We’ve come a long way to be disappointed taking seven points from four games and we know on our day we can beat anyone and start climbing the table.”
The hosts have Gareth McElroy available after he suffered a concussion against Drogheda last month, though Oskar van Hattum and Ronan Manning have hamstring injuries.
New loan arrivals James McManus and Ryan O’Kane, as well as permanent signings Paddy McClean and Seb Quirk, are available following the opening of the transfer window on Tuesday. But Sligo face a Hoops side that are riding high at the top having won nine of their last 11 games.
They will be without Adam Matthews, Aaron Greene and Trevor Clarke who are expected to return for the FAI Cup tie with Wexford in two weeks.
ODDS: Sligo Rovers 6-1, Shamrock Rovers 4-11, Draw 16–5.
VERDICT: Shamrock Rovers
