In early 2022, Elias Hoff Melkersen retired from Norwegian football after a fabulous season in Ranheim on loan from Bodø/Glimt.
The stop was Edinburgh and Hibernian club in the Scottish top division. There, he received plenty of playing time in the last calendar year. And there could be more game time as early as the next round of the series.
There’s just one problem: the match against Livingstone at home on Easter Road will take place on Christmas Eve!
– We’re moving at Christmas
That means traditional Norwegian Christmas celebrations will go out the window for the 19-year-old and his family in 2022.
– I played loop football matches on Christmas Eve, but it’s not quite the same, Hoff Melkersen tells Dagbladet.
– But an official game on Christmas Eve is special when you’re used to eating ribs at home with the family. It will be fun, I think. The family came this week so it’s great that they are here for Christmas.
– Maybe it won’t be a traditional Christmas with a party on December 24th?
– No, it’s going to be a little special. I have to be in match mode on Christmas Eve and it’s weird. Usually you wake up a little late, have a good breakfast and spend time with your family.
PYRO: Hoff Melkersen has been impressed by the attention of the Scottish fans. Photo: Malcolm Mackenzie/ProSports/Shutterstock
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Furthermore, the family has agreed that the Christmas celebration will be postponed by 24 hours.
– It will be a more Scottish Christmas. Let’s move Christmas to December 25th, and then we’ll eat at a nicer restaurant.
– But will it be traditional Norwegian Christmas food?
– There must be a set menu and I can’t sit there starving. I think it’s turkey or something. But the ribs are nostalgia I can tell.
– I didn’t know where you were
Another thing Hoff Melkersen hasn’t done is sit idly by following his move from Bodø/Glimt to Hibernian in early 2022.
Despite some injury concerns, the Norwegian teenager has been featured in ten league games this season. In any case, he has had the greatest bad luck with injuries.
GOAL MACHINE: In Ranheim, Hoff Melkersen was completely unstoppable at times. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB
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– There were two injuries that came very close to each other. I had an ankle injury and was out for three or four weeks. In the comeback I had a concussion, when one of our stoppers jumped up and I hit his hip in the temple, says Hoff Melkersen.
– I was completely lost, I didn’t know where I was. He was incredibly uncomfortable. I spun and was on the court, but my head wasn’t right. I was out for a month with the concussion but now I’m back in shape.
Hoff Melkersen scored 19 goals in 29 games for Ranheim before joining Hibernian. The Scottish capital club will soon need Hoff Melkersen to fulfill some of those goals in the quest to capture arch-rival Hearts.
Four points separate Hearts in fourth and Hibernian in eighth. Celtic are the league’s supreme leaders, with a whopping 28 points adrift of Hoff Melkersen’s side.
«Wannabe Grealish»
Either way, the rivalry in the Scottish capital is something Hoff Melkersen has already had a taste of.
– I discovered that I have to go to tourist places to not be recognized, the 19-year-old chuckles, and continues:
– Just today I was buying some clothes, and then I was recognized. A lot of people recognize me, and it’s a bit strange. I’m just a regular guy from Stjørdal, but he’s nice.
But it’s not just friendly supporters who are waving. Hearts supporters have also taken notice of the Norwegian.
HEADBAND: Hoff Melkersen has received some flak for his headband. By the way, because of the similarities with the English star Jack Grealish. Photo: REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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– I had some bites. I don’t remember exactly what was said, but it’s often because I play with headbands. There have been some rude comments, says Hoff Melkersen, though there is one comment he remembers with a smile.
– Someone called me “Grealish wannabe” once. There are many funnier ones, chuckles the 19-year-old.
