Steven Gerrard outlines Rangers’ plans for Zak Rudden

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Glasgow Rangers youngster Zak Rudden is set to be involved with the first-team during pre-season at Ibrox.

Steven Gerrard has lauded Zak Rudden and confirmed to Rangers’ official website that he plans to have the striker working with the first-team during pre-season as he considers what role he will play for the Gers during the next campaign.

Rudden has had an extremely beneficial international break. While Scotland’s senior side will want to forget this break quickly, it was a more memorable time away for the forward, who scored a hat-trick in the under-19s’ victory against Cyprus.

The treble may provide the 19-year-old with a lift heading into the final weeks of the season. He returns to Falkirk looking to add to his tally of 10 goals in 24 games in all competitions for the Scottish Championship side.

And he has now been given even more reason to make an impact before his return to Ibrox in the summer, as Gerrard explained what his current plans are for the teenager following his hat-trick.

“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 told the club’s official website. “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.”

It is not going to be an easy task for Rudden to break into Gerrard’s plans. Alfredo Morelos, Jermain Defoe and Kyle Lafferty already make up a fantastic group of strikers, while the likes of Ryan Hardie and Andrew Dallas will also be hoping to catch the eye.

But Rudden should certainly take encouragement from Gerrard’s words. It appears that there is a fantastic opportunity for the forward to force his way into the manager’s plans, and he needs to make the most of that opening.