Profiling Rudi Molotnikov: Is He the Next Hibs Player to Make the Step Up?
- James McKenzie
- May 1, 2024
- 3 min read
The Hibs academy has produced some bright prospects over the last few years, with Josh Doig and Ryan Porteous arguably being two of the most recent success stories.
The two came into the Hibs team at a very similar time, and supporters are waiting for the next homegrown prospect to make their mark in the first-team, and there are definitely a few cutting their teeth for the development squad that could make their impact in the future.
Many may have rested their hopes on the shoulders of young Ethan Laidlaw, but his departure to join the youth set-up at Brentford down south, a massive opportunity, means that the baton will now be passed to someone else.
Observing the Hibernian U20s side's victory over Hamilton on Monday evening, a few players caught our eye such as Reuben McAllister and Rory Whittaker, but arguably Hibs' most impressive prospect in the squad at the moment would be Rudi Molotnikov.
(Image: Graham Hamilton - Stirling Albion FC)
We spoke to Hibernian fan and podcaster Dave Graham who had coached Molotnikov as a child, with the young attacker playing in the same squad as Hearts prospect Macaulay Tait, who we have already covered on this blog, and Emma Watson who is now flying down south at Manchester United after an impressive breakout season at Rangers.
Coming through such in amongst such a talented group of players who were being swiftly plucked by other clubs in the country, Molotnikov was quickly snapped up by Hibs when he began to impress in the youth setup.
His Hibs displays were catching the eyes of those in charge of the Scotland development squad, and he made his debut for the under-16s in 2021.
He was then moved up to play with the under-17s and even made a few appearance at the U17 European Championships, whilst also making up the Hibs squad that gave a great account of themselves in the UEFA Youth League, pushing a Borussia Dortmund side all the way that is widely regarded for producing some of the greatest talents in Europe.
He eventually graduated to the Scotland U19s squad, and this season he was granted some of his first appearances for the Hibs first team, including the incredible experience of taking to the field against English Premiership side Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League, if only just for a minute.
He has been handed the chance to impress from the bench on a few occasions in the Scottish Premiership, including coming off the bench at Celtic Park.
Now spending the second-half of the season on loan at Stirling Albion, he grabbed his first goal for the Scotland U19s just back in February, and Hibs supporters are looking for Molotnikov to take the next step in his career next season.
(Image: Graham Hamilton - Stirling Albion FC)
On loan in League One, the natural progression would be a loan spell to the Championship, and Dave Graham reckons that his pace and physical attributes would see him benefitting from playing in a side that looks to play positive, attacking football.
He ear-marked Airdrie, but we have no doubts that a loan spell in the Championship would benefit him as he hasn't shied away from any of the opportunities he has been given so far.
That is the key with young players. How do they deal with the pressure of being thrown into a professional game, and so far Molotnikov is passing them with flying colours, and the best is still yet to come.
We Spoke to Down the Slope Podcaster Dave Graham about his time coaching Molotnikov as a boy, and what the future could potentially hold?
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