Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has taken notice of homegrown youngster Zak Rudden and has hinted he will be giving the striker a first-team chance this summer.
Rudden is currently on loan at Falkirk and has scored 11 goals for the season, also catching the eye on recent international duty by scoring four goals in two Scotland U19s matches.
It’s form that hasn’t escaped the attention of the Ibrox boss, who now believes that the 19-year-old has a future at the club.
As quoted by the official Rangers website, Gerrard said of the youngster’s progress:
It is brilliant, and we have a number of young lads who are doing extremely well.
Zak is one who I have a lot of admiration for and is someone who was very keen to go out and play and be involved in a man’s game.
He could have stayed here and been quite comfortable, but he has gone out to test himself and has done extremely well. He is someone who is very selfless and works his socks off.
I see a future here for Zak. He will come with us on pre-season and depending on how he does, how he looks and how much he has improved over the 12 months will determine what part he plays next year.
In the last couple of weeks he has done well, but it is no surprise as he gives you everything he has got.
Gerrard has shown he hasn’t been afraid of giving youth a chance in the past if players are good enough and it’ll be interesting to see if Rudden can make a first-team breakthrough next season.
Fans are certainly excited by his progress and with striking options limited beyond Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe, another lethal goalscorer in the squad would be a real boost.
The manager certainly seems impressed and that bodes well for the 19-year-old’s future.