Molotnikov On New Deal, Scottish Cup and Return To Action

17-Jan-2025 18:27:29 | Hibernian FC Official Website

Hibernian midfielder Rudi Molotnikov is excited to get our 2024/25 Scottish Cup run underway this weekend!
2024 was a whirlwind year for the Hibs Academy graduate – who made his first start for the Club in this same round of the competition last year.
Fast-forward 12 months and Molotnikov has made 21 appearances for the Hibees (all comps) and put pen-to-paper on a new long-term contract with the Club.
The 18-year-old spoke to the media ahead of our Scottish Cup Fourth clash with Clydebank on Saturday and outlined how much he was looking forward to the occasion.
“It is a very important game – I made my first start for the First Team in the same round of the competition last year, so I am really looking forward to the Scottish Cup this year.
“It is a good chance for me to get some minutes, get my fitness up and be as bright as I can.
“It has been some journey for me this season. I had a bit of a setback with an injury a few months ago but it is all part of the journey – you get these highs and lows in football.
“You always want to start every game, that is everyone’s aim. But if you had told me this time last year that I would’ve played this amount of games I would’ve been shocked. I can’t complain about anything, you always want to play more but I have been really happy with this season."
Molotnikov featured regularly at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, with Hibs Head Coach showing a lot of faith in Rudi during the first few months of the season.
“The Manager has been very honest with me.” Rudi continued.
“I know he believes in me and that he will get the best out of me. He has told me that when the time is ready he will put me back in.
“The start of the season was big for me, I learned a lot about my football and the mental side that comes with it. The boys have really helped me in there and have made me feel relaxed in the dressing room which has been great.
“You’ve got to believe in yourself, you have to be confident but I know it is not going to just come to me. I need to make sure I am fit and ready and take my chance when it comes.”
Rudi’s last appearance game off the bench against St Johnstone at the beginning of January and he is hoping to get more minutes this weekend against Clydebank. Despite the Bankies playing their football in the sixth tier of Scottish Football – Molotnikov expects a tough challenge on the day.
“We had a meeting today looking at Clydebank, they are top of the league and full of confidence at the moment. They obviously got to this stage of the cup for a reason, they will be well up for it – it will be their ‘cup final’ – so we are all looking forward to it.
“Our preparation has been no different to any other game. We have had a very similar week of training and we know we need to be right at it from the start. Hopefully, we can get a quick start, grab an early goal and take it from there.”
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