JOE PEP TALK A BIG HELP

HIBS starlet Rudi Molotnikov has revealed how Easter Road club captain Joe Newell drove him on to battle back from injury and kickstart his career.

- BY MARK WALKER

And, after he made his Scotland Under-21s bow in an incredible 12-0 romp over Gibraltar last week, the 19-year-old midfielder is now hoping to force his way back into Hibees boss David Gray's plans.

The Under-21s are in Baku preparing for their Euro 2027 qualifier with Azerbaijan and could hardly go into the game any more confident after battering the Iberian minnows with a dozen goals in Dundee.

It was a proud moment for Molotnikov, above, who has now represented Scotland at 17s, 19s and 21s as his family watched him come off the bench to make his debut.