David Gray admits the need for experience amid a tough spell for Hibs meant Rudi Molotnikov’s game time was reduced.
The 18-year-old impressed for Hibs during the Premier Sports Cup group stage with two goals and an assist in four games.
That was enough to earn him starts in the Premiership early in the season. Molotnikov actually started the first five league games of the season, but failed to hit the back of the net.
But he’s made just one start in 11 games since and didn’t even make the matchday squad against St Mirren in November and Celtic last weekend.
Gray insists the increased competition in the striker position is why Molotnikov hasn’t seen much action on the pitch of late, but stressed the youngster is still in his plans.
Rudi Molotnikov Hibs update
Gray said of Molotnikov: “He’s in the first-team squad, he’s in the dressing room now, he’s around the first team every single day and that’s because of how he adapted right at the start of the season. He did really well when he came in and continues to do well in training.
“But we’ve got a lot of competition now in his position; players are getting fitter, and when you find yourself in the position we are, sometimes you need a bit of experience as well. Rudi has dealt with that (not playing much) really well.
“He will 100 per cent come again; he’s still heavily in my thoughts every single week. Even when he’s not been playing, he comes into the conversations because of how well he does in training and what he was giving us early in the season and I still believe he’s got a really bright future for us.”
Molotnikov learning from senior Hibs stars
Gray continued: “I see him learning from the senior boys every day. Not just Junior, you’ve got Dwight Gayle as well, Martin Boyle, all the senior boys in the group.
“We’ve got a lot of good attacking players in those positions. Rudi can play a variety of positions as well, but he also just loves playing football. He’s such a young boy, enjoying his training, enjoying the opportunity to play for Hibs.
“If you’d asked him at the start of the season if he thought he’d play as many games as he has, he’d probably say no, but it’s a credit to him for how well he’s done. He’s someone who I identified last season as someone who I really liked.
“He was doing well last season, and I always knew he could deal with the physicality of the Scottish Premiership, and he’s come a long way since going on loan and not playing much last season.
“He can take a lot of confidence from, and belief in what he’s doing and as I’ve already said, he has a really bright future – he just needs to keep working hard and keep improving, which he’s desperate to do.”