David Gray singles out 18-year-old Rudi Molotnikov for praise

Hibs Head Coach David Gray singled out the contribution of 18-year-old Rudi Molotnikov who scored his first senior goal, on his first start for the Club at Easter Road last night. 

The 5-1 win sees Hibs go top of Group C in the Premier Sports Cup – with six points from six, scoring 10 goals in the process 

Waren O’Hora also scored his first Hibs goal with a powerful header before Martin Boyle doubled Hibs advantage with a sensational overhead kick. 

Molotnikov’s goal came just before the break then substitute Dylan Levitt added a fourth before Boyle completed his double. 

The Spiders scored a late consolation goal in injury time. 

Speaking after the game, Gray told Hibs TV: “Rudi was excellent again, he was great against Elgin City at the weekend and he is doing really well at the moment.  

“He needs to keep working hard, he is someone that has taken his opportunity in pre-season – he was around the First Team a lot last season – and he has come back in great condition. 

“He wants to push himself all the time, he needs to keep doing that and work on the areas that he can improve on but we saw tonight the quality he has got. 

“I am delighted with that to be honest. Everything we asked the players to do, they delivered. 

“The pleasing thing for me was the intensity, every time we lost the ball we had a reaction and a real appetite and effort to go and score goals – it was great to see. 

“Early goals always help, going ahead in the game is always really important. The pressure was on us to make sure we started the game well and to play with intensity.  

“We knew if we did that, then we would make it difficult for them. 

“It is great to have goals coming from different areas on the pitch. We are clearly a threat from set-pieces, Warren (O’Hora) did well with his header tonight and Marv scored from a set-piece at the weekend so we are a threat.  

“Going forward it will be a benefit to have these boys who want to attack the ball in both boxes. 

“Dylan Vente had good opportunities to add to his tally, which he will have been disappointed not to take but at least he is getting into these positions, which is pleasing. 

“We’re disappointed to lose that goal at the end, but all in all I am delighted with the performance and the result.”