Dylan Vente delivered a hat-trick for Hibernian in their commanding 5-0 Premier Sports Cup group stage victory over Elgin City, attributing his success to a pivotal message from head coach David Gray.
The Dutch forward struck twice in the first half and completed his hat-trick as Hibs comfortably dispatched their League Two opponents at Borough Briggs. Gray, beginning his competitive tenure with a win after a strong preseason, guided Hibs through victories against Edinburgh City, MSV Duisburg, and PAOK.
Reflecting on his performance, Vente expressed satisfaction: “Last year was frustrating for me. It wasn’t the season I wanted, but today I played as a true striker in the box, which I believe is my best position. Hopefully, this season I can consistently find myself in those positions.”
Discussing his role under the new coach, Vente highlighted the strategic advice he received: “Last year, I played deeper and ran a lot, sometimes without reward. The coach told me to stay high up as a striker, which suits me perfectly.”
Despite a challenging previous season marked by injury and positional adjustments, the 25-year-old remains optimistic about the upcoming campaign: “I know my quality in front of goal, and I aim to contribute more goals this season. Scoring three goals in a 5-0 win feels great. It’s a positive start after a tough preseason.”
Vente opened the scoring early in the match, and although Hibs faced some resistance from Elgin before halftime, their aggressive pressing and quick recovery after losing possession proved effective.
Reflecting on the game’s dynamics, Vente emphasized the importance of Hibs’ proactive approach: “In these games, how you react and engage is crucial. We reacted well to turnovers and maintained control.”
Throughout the match, Vente benefited from the partnership with Martin Boyle, who assisted his opener and contributed a goal of his own later in the game. The duo’s collaboration, forged during preseason, showcased their synergy and attacking prowess.
“Playing alongside Boyley is great,” Vente remarked. “He’s incredibly fast and creative, which is ideal for a striker. Whether on the right or left, he can create opportunities from nothing.”
Overall, Vente’s performance and partnership with Boyle highlight Hibs’ promising start under Gray, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.