WE’RE LOOKING RUDD-Y GREAT
Zak plans another Ayr raid to keep Bairns’ run going
GOAL king Zak Rudden reckons Falkirk’s winning mentality will ensure they maintain their unbeaten start to 2019 against Ayr.
The on-loan Rangers kid, 19, took his tally to 11 goals for the season when he cancelled out Greg Kiltie’s opener to secure 10-man Bairns a crucial draw with Morton last week.
Ray McKinnon’s men have claimed three wins and four draws from their seven Championship matches in this calendar year to climb off the foot of the table.
Scotland Under-19 star Rudden is now ready to shoot down the high-flying Honest Men again after netting the winner in January – and help fire the Bairns to within a point of seventh-placed Queen of the South in tonight’s televised clash at Falkirk Stadium.
He said: “We’ve got mental strength and believe we can win games.
“In the last match we went down to 10 men, which didn’t help us, but we still kept fighting. Without a doubt we would have won that game with 11 men.
“The difference in mentality now is massive. The boys know that they are going to go out there and win games.
“We have the belief we will get points. We have a fantastic bunch of boys in the dressing room and we’re working well together. We’ve got a relentlessness to work hard and do well.
“We can carry this on and win against Ayr. It’s a massive three points if we can get them. I’ve got belief in the boys that we can do that.
“I’ve scored against them before this season – so I’ll be out to do that again.”
Rudden has displayed maturity beyond his years to lead the line on his own for Falkirk on several occasions this campaign.
It has left Bairns boss McKinnon in no doubt the talented teen has all the qualities it takes to make it at Ibrox.
He said: “He will prove himself over the next two years, make no bones about it. I honestly think he can make it at Rangers.
“Zak has been excellent for a young kid and he’s only going to get better as he gets older.
“He still has a lot to learn but his contribution has been phenomenal. His work rate, his goals, he’s a great kid around the dressing room – he has everything.
“When he is in a team that dominates possession for 70 minutes, like Rangers do, and they’re playing in someone else’s box a lot then that will make him a real handful for teams because he will score.
“He goes about his business in the right manner. Every Falkirk fan will appreciate the work he does for the team outwith the box as well. The fans appreciate that here and so do the staff.”