Full of Potential

YOUNG Glasgow Rangers striker Zak Rudden has joined Plymouth Argyle on an initial sixth-month loan.

Zak, 19, has made the long journey south from Glasgow on a half-season deal, with an option to extend. His move to Home Park follows on from an eye-catching loan spell at Falkirk last season – in which their manager Ray McKinnon described Zak as “phenomenal”.

His goalscoring exploits for the Bairns included scoring on his debut versus Ayr United and netting braces against both Alloa Athletic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Zak finished the Scottish Championship season with 12 goals in 31 appearances.

This season, first-team appearances with the Gers have been hard to come by. The Ibrox side boast an impressive strike-force consisting of former England international Jermaine Defoe and Colombian marksman Alfredo Morelos.

Rangers’ embarrassment of riches up top has worked in the Pilgrims’ favour, as Gers manager and England legend Steven Gerrard has entrusted his close personal friend and Argyle manager Ryan Lowe to develop the young goalscoring talent.

Zak has also impressed at various age groups of the Scottish national side, representing them at U16, U17 and U19 level. Playing for the U19s, he’s scored six goals in 14 appearances – including a hattrick against Cyprus in the UEFA Euro U19 Championship Qualifiers.

Rudden first appeared on Lowe’s radar after netting a goal in Rangers’ 6-0 pre-season victory over Ryan’s Bury side in 2018-19 pre-season, and the Pilgrims’ manager has kept close tabs on him since.

Joining an Argyle attack already featuring the likes Dom Telford, Joel Grant, Byron Moore and Ryan Taylor, plus youngsters Klaidi Lolos and Alex Fletcher, Zak will be hoping to add depth and goals to Ryan Lowe’s free-flowing side.

The deal for Zak Rudden is subject to the receipt of international clearance.