Latest news with #ZakRudden
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Livingston striker hopes his pace is perfect for slick new pitch
Zak Rudden hopes to hit the ground running at the West Lothian club Zak Rudden hopes blistering pace will help him on a fiery pitch at Livingston, and intends to blast in goals that will keep him in the team. The former Dundee and Partick Thistle hero has got off the mark already this term, with the clincher in a 2-0 win at home to Highland League Brora Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup, adding to Danny Wilson's opener. The Lions sit second in group H on six points after three games, as they host Kelty Hearts in their group finale on Saturday. Rudden, 25, bagged 15 goals in 47 games during a difficult season at Queen's Park, and after gunning down Brora, he said: 'It's good to get off the mark, and I've been biding my time, but I got the chance and I took it. 'There's good competition for places here. The gaffer spoke to me about that when I was coming in, and it's something I'm relishing. 'There's good competition, I've got to get my spot, and once I get it, try and keep it, but I'm not thinking it's going to be easy.' Livingston have recently installed a new pitch, with boss David Martindale holding several training sessions on it to get players used to the surface. Rudden said: 'I think the new pitch will suit my style sometimes, other times not so much because it's going so quick at the same time and I'm running so fast at the same time. It's a very fiery pitch and it's something we need to get used to, and quickly.' Edinburgh-born Rudden, who came through the youth set-up at Rangers, says talking to Martindale had him convinced the West Lothian club was right for him, but was able to back that up by talking to several of his new team-mates. And he reckons Livingston are in a good place as they prepare for their Premiership opener at Kilmarnock on August 2. Rudden said: 'I spoke to the gaffer and it seemed like it suited me. I wanted to settle down at a club, and the way the gaffer was speaking to me, and the security of a two-year deal as well, it just seemed like everything fell into place. 'I like the way the gaffer's taking the club forward. I spoke to Ryan McGowan, I was with him at St Johnstone [during a loan spell in 2023] and I know Danny Wilson as well through Rangers when I was a young boy, and I was with him briefly at Queen's Park. 'I knew boys I could speak to and it was a good option for me. 'The boys here look in good shape as well.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Livingston beat Brora to draw level with Killie
Update: Date: 90'+5 Title: Post Content: Match ends, Livingston 2, Brora Rangers 0. Update: Date: 90'+5 Title: Full Time Content: Second Half ends, Livingston 2, Brora Rangers 0. Update: Date: 90'+5 Title: Post Content: Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Update: Date: 90'+4 Title: Post Content: Attempt blocked. Zak Rudden (Livingston) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Update: Date: 90'+3 Title: Post Content: Corner,Livingston. Conceded by Colin Williamson. Update: Date: 90'+2 Title: Post Content: Corner,Brora Rangers. Conceded by Danny Wilson. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Attempt blocked. Connor Bunce (Brora Rangers) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Update: Date: 88' Title: Post Content: Attempt saved. Danny Wilson (Livingston) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Cammy MacKay (Brora Rangers). Update: Date: 87' Title: Post Content: Corner,Livingston. Conceded by Cammy MacKay. Update: Date: 87' Title: Post Content: Attempt saved. Zak Rudden (Livingston) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Cammy MacKay (Brora Rangers). Update: Date: 86' Title: Post Content: Jannik Wanner (Livingston) wins a free kick on the right wing. Update: Date: 86' Title: Post Content: Foul by Connor Bunce (Brora Rangers). Update: Date: 86' Title: Booking Content: Craig Mackenzie (Brora Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Update: Date: 86' Title: Post Content: Jannik Wanner (Livingston) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Update: Date: 86' Title: Post Content: Foul by Craig Mackenzie (Brora Rangers). Update: Date: 84' Title: Goal! Content: Goal! Livingston 2, Brora Rangers 0. Zak Rudden (Livingston) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Stevie May following a set piece situation. Update: Date: 84' Title: Post Content: Jannik Wanner (Livingston) wins a free kick on the right wing. Update: Date: 84' Title: Post Content: Foul by Connor Bunce (Brora Rangers). Update: Date: 82' Title: Post Content: Attempt missed. Shane Sutherland (Brora Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Update: Date: 80' Title: Post Content: Foul by Daniel Finlayson (Livingston).
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Livingston's 'underdog' tag can spur our Premiership battle, says striker
Zak Rudden says the West Lothian club have enough quality to compete in next season's top flight Zak Rudden says Livingston must use their 'underdog' tag to spur them on in the Premiership, as his summer move gives him another crack at the top flight. Striker Rudden, 25, joined the Lions in June, having left Championship side Queen's Park at the end of last season. The two clubs' trajectory could scarcely have been different, as the Spiders struggled to an eighth-placed finish, while Livingston were second, three points behind champions Falkirk, before beating Ross County 5-3 on aggregate in the Premiership play-off final, following a 4-2 win in Dingwall. Pundits will tip the West Lothian club for relegation, having dropped down to the Championship for a single season. For ex-Rangers youth and former Partick Thistle and Dundee hit man Rudden, who scored 15 goals in 47 games last season, it's a chance for both him and the club to start again. When asked about their 'underdog' status, Rudden told club media: 'You've got to thrive at that. I've got another shot at the Premiership, and in the team, we've got a good group of lads around us, so hopefully we can do well. 'I'll have my own wee things [targets], but I won't give too much away.' Experienced striker Rudden is one of 11 new signings at Almondale so far this summer, and says boss David Martindale was a major factor in his decision to sign up. He said: 'I'm delighted to be here. It has been a long summer for me, and I'm ready to get started. 'I got wind of [the interest], came in and met the gaffer, had a good chat with him about things, liked everything about him and what he stood for, and that's just how it came about. 'The facilities, the way the club's going – it's going in the right direction, the way he's trying to take them forward, and I like that.'
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Livingston should 'thrive' off underdog status, says Rudden
Zak Rudden says Livingston should "thrive" off their underdog status as the promoted side prepare for their Scottish Premiership Martindale's men returned to the top flight after a season away with a convincing play-off final win over Ross has been recruited from Championship side Queen's Park as Martindale revamps his squad and the striker acknowledges his new club will be among the favourites to go straight back down."You've got to thrive off that," the 25-year-old said. "I've got another shot at the Premiership for myself and there is a good group of lads, so hopefully we can do well."It's been a long summer for me, so I'm delighted to be here and I'm ready to get started."I liked everything about [Martindale] and everything he stood for. The club's going in the right direction."
Edinburgh Reporter
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fresh faces in Livingston dressing-room
Livingston boss David Martindale has introduced fresh faces into the squad as he prepares for life in the William Hill Premiership next season. Zak Rudden has joined the club for the 2025/26 campaign which celebrates 30 years of Livingston FC. The 25-year-old has had loan spells with Falkirk, Plymouth Argyle, Dundee, St Johnstone and Raith Rovers. He has previously been with Rangers, Dundee and Partick Thistle. Rudden has been recruited from Championship side Queen's Park and the striker is The Lions fourth signing so far. Martindale is reported to be looking to recruit ten new players to boost the squad. Irishman Graham Carey, now aged 36, joins The Lions from St Johnstone on the expiry of his contract with the Perth club. He is described as a left-sided midfield player. Connor McLennan, now 25, has signed from Ayr United on a two-year deal as his contract with the West Coast club had expired. Meanwhile, 32-year-old Stevie May, who has played for Aberdeen and English side, Preston North End, has joined the club permanently after a successful loan spell last season when Livingston were in the championship. The forward makes the move to West Lothian from relegated St Johnstone. Season tickets are still on sale at the early bird rate until June 30 then they rise. MEDIA BRIEFING: David Martindale meets the press at Livingston. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
