Hibs kickstarted their Premier Sports Cup group stage campaign with a 5-0 rout at Elgin City.

Dylan Vente helped himself to a hat-trick, supplemented by a debut goal from Marvin Ekpiteta and a Martin Boyle strike. David Gray, in his first competitive outing as head coach, picked an attacking side that included teenager Rudi Molotnikov, and he impressed as Hibs made light work of their League Two opponents. Chris Cadden limped off with an injury in the first-half, but it was an otherwise positive - and hassle free - start to the new campaign.

Patrick McPartlin and Liam Bryce were at Borough Briggs to provide the instant analysis.

Perfect start for Gray

Hibs haven't always made light work of these group fixtures, so it wasn't a given that they would sweep into town and roll Elgin over with such little fuss. But this was about as straightforward as Gray could have hoped for in a potentially awkward first competitive outing as manager. The early goal was crucial, and prevented the hosts from building any belief that they could seriously trouble Hibs, and it naturally puts those in green and white a little more at ease. A second on the cusp of half-time proved a significant blow for the home side, as Hibs racked up a further three in seven minutes shortly after the interval. Superior fitness was always going to play a part, and Elgin running out of gas certainly helped Hibs secure the points and record an emphatic result. These are competitive games, of course, but being out of sight on the scoresheet allowed Gray to use his bench and get more minutes into players who need them. Ultimately, it was about getting in and out with a victory, and not making yourself the shock story on the first day of the season.

Liam Bryce

Vente off the mark

It might only have been a Premier Sports Cup game against League Two opposition, but it felt significant to see Dylan Vente get off the mark for the season. The Dutchman took just eight minutes to open the scoring, tucking home Martin Boyle's cutback from close range, and doubled his and Hibs' tally just before the break as he nodded in Jordan Obita's cross.

Vente had a goal ruled out against MV Duisburg during the pre-season friendly in the Netherlands and didn't find the net against Edinburgh City or PAOK, despite getting into a lot of good areas.

It's normal for strikers to go through purple patches and dry spells and Vente suffered last season from a combination of a lack of service at times, and having to play as a deeper attacker rather than in his preferred number nine role.

But his three goals at Borough Briggs were all classic striker's goals, scored from in and around the six-yard box. If he can keep up this form throughout the group stages of the League Cup it should ensure his confidence is in a good place going into the first league game against St Mirren on August 4.

Patrick McPartlin

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Adaptability on show

Hibs initially set up in an altered 3-5-2, similar to the setup deployed against PAOK last week. Ekpiteta anchored a back three with Warren O'Hora to his left and Lewis Miller to his right, with Jordan Obita and Chris Cadden deployed high as wing-backs. Joe Newell, in his first outing as club captain, was a lone six, with Josh Campbell and Rudi Molotnikov playing higher as eights. Up front, Martin Boyle was just off Vente. Gray could be heard imploring his team to try and play down the sides, correcting Miller for stepping in-field with the ball rather than looking to link with Cadden. Hibs didn't get much change out of Elgin for much of the first-half, but it clicked for Vente's goal down that right side, with Miller, Cadden, Molotnikov all combining to leave the striker with a simple finish. Gray has spoken at length about the need to be adaptable, and injury to Cadden prompted a switch to 4-2-3-1, with Nathan Moriah-Welsh comin on and Boyle moving wide. It was a more familiar shape for much of this team, and the change did precede Hibs playing their best football of the afternoon. 

Liam Bryce

Molotnikov takes his chance

When Rudi Molotnikov last started a cup game for Hibs it was against Forfar at Station Park nearly six months ago to the day. Hibs huffed and puffed in general that day and although the midfielder showed a couple of nice touches he was on the periphery of the game and replaced with less than an hour played. Here, against opposition from the same division, he ran the show at times in midfield, peppering Tom McHale's goal with a handful of efforts and was arguably unlucky not to score, although he did add an assist for Marvin Ekpiteta's goal.

Gray hinted during the summer training camp in the Netherlands that Molotnikov and Kanayo Megwa, who came on for the final 20 or so minutes, would have roles in his squad this season.

On this showing, Molotnikov should hold onto his starting berth and Megwa's performance will have given Gray food for thought, particularly out of his natural position.

Patrick McPartlin

Signings still needed

Without wishing to disrespect Elgin City, this was not a particularly challenging game for Hibs, who were never really troubled by their League Two opponents. Dajon Golding did his best to rough up the centre-backs but Joe Bursik was a virtual spectator for large parts of the game.

That being said, it's clear that Hibs still require a few new faces in key positions. They were less effective on the right flank when Martin Boyle was moved up top to accommodate Dylan Vente being taken off and they were a little less cohesive in midfield, which was understandable given the number of changes.

This squad would struggle against superior opposition but David Gray will have seen enough to know which positions are the priorities - if he didn't already.

Patrick McPartlin