Rudi Molotnikov

Rudi Allan Molotnikov (born 23 May 2006) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Hibernian, and has represented Scotland at the under-17 and under-19 levels.

Club career Molotnikov, a lifelong Hibernian fan from nearby Loanhead, began training with the club at around five years old and signed his first academy contract aged 10.

In July 2022, he signed a two-year professional contract with Hibernian. He travelled with the Hibernian first-team in July 2023 to their summer training camp, He featured during the pre-season friendlies, playing as a wide midfielder. He was named among the first-team match day substitutes on 27 July 2023, in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Inter Club d'Escaldes.

In August 2023 he signed a new three-year contract with the club. On 31 August 2023 he made his professional debut for Hibs, appearing as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa Conference League. He was loaned to Stirling Albion in February 2024. At the start of the 2024/25 season, new manager David Gray gave Molotnikov some chances in the starting eleven, and on 16 July 2024 he scored his first professional goal in a 5-1 League Cup victory over Queen's Park. He signed a new four-year deal with Hibs on 30 December 2024, which is due to run until the summer of 2029.

International career In March 2023, he helped the Scotland U-17 team qualify for the 2023 UEFA European U-17 Championship. He was also subsequently then named in the Scotland U17 squad for the tournament.

Personal life

Molotnikov grew up in Loanhead, Midlothian. His father is Justin Molotnikov, a Scottish-born television and film director with credits including Outlander, Poldark and Doctor Who.