Rangers starlet Zak Rudden is determined to make up for lost time after finally hitting the goal trail with Plymouth Argyle.
The 19-year-old, who joined the Pilgrims on a season-long loan during the summer, broke his duck in Tuesday evening’s 3-0 triumph over Swindon Town in the Leasing.com Trophy.
It was Rudden’s ninth appearance for Argyle, but just third start, and he hopes it results in a run of games in League Two.
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Rudden said: “I have been desperate to score a goal. I have had a couple of chances I have not put away.
“So to get that one has just kind of kicked me on.
“I’m finally up and running and hopefully that gets me in the team and gets me a wee run.”
The towering header was all the more sweet given Rudden’s injury woes at the start of the season.
He suffered a knee complaint during pre-season and, after proving unable to shake the issue off, returned to Ibrox for more treatment.
That led to a stop-start opening few weeks of his time south of the border - and left the former Falkirk loan ace frustrated.
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He added: “I have had a difficult start at Argyle. I got thrown in and I wasn’t 100 per cent myself.
“I could feel myself not 100 per cent right but I just wanted to keep going.
“I have never been really injured before, a serious one like that, so I just thought it was part and parcel of coming back from that.”
Meanwhile, Argyle boss Ryan Lowe lauded: "I’m pleased for Zak because he’s been through a little bit of injury.
“We threw him in at the deep end and he then got another niggle.
“He deserved that goal and probably could have had a couple, so he’s disappointed with that.
"If you put balls in the box and players in the right areas, that’s what happens. We did that and the second and third goals completed it."
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