Former Rangers striker Zak Rudden scored a match-winning brace for Partick Thistle in an SPFL League One fixture against Clyde on Tuesday.
Scotland youth international Rudden showed real promise at age-group level and on loan spells with Falkirk and Plymouth Argyle before joining Thistle on a two-and-a-half-year deal in January 2020.
The Gers retained future transfer ‘options’ on the 6ft 2″ striker [Rangers.co.uk], though, with Jags boss Ian McCall subsequently confirming that a buy-back clause could be activated 18 months into his contract.
Rudden has been plagued by injuries during his time in Maryhill, while two lengthy suspensions of lower league football due to the pandemic have made it even more difficult for him to establish himself.
However, he grabbed his first Thistle goal in a Scottish Cup victory over Cowdenbeath last month and opened his league account on Tuesday night.
With the score at 0-0 after an hour, the 21-year-old was brought off the bench and charged with breaking the deadlock.
He did so only a few minutes after his introduction, showing great poacher’s instincts to arrive at the back post just in time to chest home a Scott Tiffoney cross from close range.
Brimming with confidence after his opener, Rudden put the result beyond all doubt in the final minute of normal time, with a brilliant second.
After being picked out near the penalty spot by a cross from the right, he controlled with his chest before hammering a right-footed finish into the bottom right corner.
Two Rangers loanees were in action for Clyde, with 21-year-old Jack Thomson showing impressive physicality in a holding midfield role, while 18-year-old Kane Ritchie-Hosler came off the bench to play the final 12 minutes on the right wing.
In other news, Rangers are eyeing a move for a £12m Premier League player, according to a journalist.
