Rangers starlet Zak Rudden wanted on loan by Partick Thistle
The highly-rated teen striker recently scooped a clean sweep after landing four gongs at Falkirk's 2019 Gala awards
PARTICK THISTLE could be set to launch a bid to land Rangers striker Zak Rudden.
The 19-year-old hitman impressed Jags boss Gary Caldwell during his loan stint with Falkirk this season.
Rudden banged in 12 goals in 31 games for the struggling Bairns who were relegated from the Championship on the final day of the season.
The Scotland Under-19 star’s displays haven’t gone unnoticed by Light Blues gaffer Steven Gerrard and he may look to run the rule over Rudden in pre-season before deciding whether to send the rookie back out on loan.
That could mean Thistle have to wait to see whether the Ibrox side decide another year in Scottish football’s second tier would benefit the frontman.
SunSport also understands Caldwell is keen on Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Jordan White as he looks to bolster his attacking options for next season.
Veteran strike pair Scott McDonald and Kris Doolan have both moved on from the Maryhill side since they secured their Championship status against Queen of the South earlier this month.
Former Livingston hitman White has been a standout for John Robertson’s Highlanders this season – netting 16 goals from Caley to help them into the Premiership play-offs.
The 27-year-old penned a two-year deal at the Tulloch Stadium last summer with the club desperate to hold onto their main striker, but that may not deter the Thistle boss.
Meanwhile, Caldwell has begun his summer rebuild by snapping up Scotland Under-21 defender Ryan Williamson.
The full-back has penned a pre-contract with the Jags and will join up with his new side on July 1 after leaving Championship rivals Dunfermline.
Williamson spent nine years at East End Park after joining the club as a 14-year-old and said last week he was looking for a fresh start.
Now he will continue his career with the Jags after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract.
Williamson said: “Obviously I’m delighted to get the deal done. I found out a couple of weeks ago that the club was interested and I knew right away that it was a move that could be perfect for me.
"I had a chat with my family and friends and the decision was pretty easy from there to be honest.
“I’ve been at Dunfermline for a long time now and I’m ready for a fresh break and a new challenge and I really think this move could be the making of me.
"Everything about the club excites me, there’s plenty of ambition here and I think it is a fantastic place for me to really kick on. I honestly can’t wait to get started.”
Thistle have also opened contract talks with midfielder Blair Spittal about extending his stay with the club.
MORE TO COME Rangers star Morelos says ‘as soon as there is something official I will be announcing it’ with ‘many’ clubs interested
The midfielder joined the club from Dundee United in the summer of 2017 and Caldwell is keen for Spittal to be part of his Thistle team next season.
One player who has already moved on from Caldwell’s side is full-back Christie Elliott who has joined Steven Pressley’s Carlisle.
The former Falkirk gaffer is delighted to land the experienced stopper.
He said: “In my opinion he is very much a modern-day full back. He’s 6ft 2” and he’s strong, athletic and he likes to get forward.
RELATED STORIES
“He’s probably been Partick’s most impressive performer over the last couple of seasons and we’re delighted with this acquisition. I think he’s a good coup for the club.
“He’s made the right back berth his own with Partick and that’s very much where we see him play. As with all players, it’s good if they can play in several positions but we’ve identified him as being able to do a job for us in that position.
“He also has a great character. He was captain at Partick for a period, which shows the type of person he is, and we’re really pleased that we’ve got a good individual as well as a good player.”
Shea Gordon has also joined the Jags on a permanent basis after impressing while on loan from Motherwell.
The 20-year-old midfielder has signed a two-year deal with Caldwell's side.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers from Scottish football plus fixtures, results and live match commentary