Rudden is ready to be unleashed on Lennon’s side

ZAK RUDDEN insists that he is ready to be thrown straight into Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash with Celtic after leaving Rangers for Partick Thistle on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The Firhill side fought off stiff competition from other clubs to recruit the 19-year-old striker for a nominal fee, with Rangers ‘retaining options’ on the player.

Rudden had only just returned north of the border following a six-month loan spell with Sky Bet League Two side Plymouth, where he scored three goals in 18 appearances.

Now that he has joined Ian McCall’s Thistle, however, the Scotland Under-19s international is hoping to replicate the form that saw him net 12 times while on loan at Falkirk last season, starting with the weekend’s televised fourth-round cup visit of holders Celtic.

Rudden, who failed to break through at Ibrox after kicking off his career there in 2018, said: ‘I’m fit and ready, so hopefully I can get my start (against Celtic).

‘Hopefully I can get back up and running with my goals tally. The first six months was not very good down in Plymouth but hopefully I can kick on and I can start scoring goals again.

‘I’m delighted to be here, it’s taken me a wee while to get here but I’m buzzing to get going.’

Rudden admitted that manager McCall’s presence in the dugout influenced his decision to move to Firhill.

He added: ‘I knew that it was going to happen and the interest the gaffer had in me. The gaffer was one of the biggest reasons for me signing for Partick Thistle.

‘I’ve liked his work. When he was at Ayr United last year, I liked the way they played.

‘It’s a big club and has a good support, so those were other factors.

‘I’ll be a sponge to every player in there, even the manager.

‘I’ll take all I can get from the experienced players who have done it at the top level.’

Thistle manager McCall is certain that the club’s fans will take to the teenager.

He said: ‘We are thrilled to add Zak permanently to the squad.

‘There were many other clubs interested in signing him, so we are delighted that Zak has chosen Partick Thistle to continue his career.

‘There is a lot of improvement in Zak and we are looking forward to working with him on the training pitch.

‘I think he is a player that will excite our supporters and they will love seeing him wearing red and yellow on the pitch.

‘I’d like to thank (Rangers director of football) Ross Wilson and everyone at Rangers for their help in getting the deal done.

‘It is a deal which suits both Partick Thistle and Rangers, as well as the player.’

Rudden, who has represented Scotland throughout the age groups at Under-16s, 17s and 19s level, made 31 appearances for Falkirk during his temporary spell there.