Former Rangers striker Zak Rudden netted his second brace in three days for Partick Thistle on Thursday in a 5-0 hammering of Montrose in League One.
The Scotland youth cap signed for Thistle in January 2020 for an undisclosed fee, but the Gers retained ‘options’ on him for the future [Rangers.co.uk].
Jags boss Ian McCall subsequently confirmed that a buy-back clause had been inserted that could be triggered after around 18 months, meaning Rangers will have a decision to make this summer.
It seems unlikely that Steven Gerrard will take up the option, given that Rudden has struggled with injuries since his Ibrox exit, while the pandemic has also severely reduced his playing opportunities.
However, the 21-year-old has hit form recently and is showing what he’s capable of producing in senior football.
He netted his first Thistle goal last month in a Scottish Cup win over Cowdenbeath, before opening his league account on Tuesday night with a match-winning brace against Clyde.
The 6ft 2″ striker didn’t have to wait long for his next opportunity, either, with the frantic lower-league schedule providing a clash against Montrose at Firhill just two days later.
Brimming with confidence after his super-sub outing earlier in the week, Rudden started the match and had Thistle 2-0 up before half-time.
His opener came in the 20th minute when he swept home a cross from fellow former Rangers player Richard Foster and his second arrived in the 38th-minute, as he found the back of the net with a brilliant strike from 20 yards.
He continued to be influential in the second half, bagging an assist before being withdrawn in the 79th minute as the home side recorded a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
Thistle are now up to second in the table, with their hopes of a speedy return to the Championship well and truly alive.
Meanwhile, an exciting new arrival at Auchenhowie has described signing for Rangers as ‘the best feeling in the world’.
