Zak Rudden is focused on only one thing as he prepares for his first full season at Dundee.
The 22-year-old has a one-track mind and has already set himself an ambitious target in the Championship this term.
It’s all about goals, goals, goals for the former Rangers kid.
In half-a-season with Partick Thistle last term, the Scotland U/21 man notched nine times in all competitions.
Seven of those came in the league before the Dark Blues made their swoop.
If he could manage that tally by January, then the target this season is a simple one, according to the man himself.
‘I’m aiming to double my tally’
Rudden admits the step up to the Premiership was tough last term but his history of goal-getting in the second tier has him heading into this campaign full of confidence.
“I definitely want to show what I can really do,” he told Courier Sport.
“Going up a league last season was difficult but towards the end I felt I was getting there, I just couldn’t help the team stay up.
“But I’m ready for this league and I know what it’s about.
“I’m aiming to double my tally from last year, or even more.
“I got nine in the Championship so I’m looking for 18, 20.
“It’s all about goals, always!”
‘Don’t know where it came from!’
Rudden started both Dundee’s recent friendlies – a 4-0 victory at Peterhead and 1-1 draw at home to Montrose.
He grabbed the first goal of pre-season with an impudent chip over a stranded Blue Toon goalie and can’t wait to get started this weekend at home to Hamilton.
Zak Rudden scores the first goal of the pre-season campaign #thedee pic.twitter.com/xLLJXZngZZ
— Dundee Football Club (@DundeeFC) July 2, 2022
“I was delighted with it – I don’t know where it came from, to be honest!” Rudden added.
“I’m usually tapping them in but that was a bit different and I was pleased with it.
“The friendlies are good to get the rust out of the system but I’m delighted to have competitive games back again.
“It was good to get a goal against Peterhead and it gives you confidence ahead of the competitive games.
“I’m looking to build on that and then take it into the league campaign.”
Jakubiak partnership?
On Tuesday night in Montrose, Dens boss Gary Bowyer experimented with two strikers with Rudden partnered by Alex Jakubiak.
Jakubiak was a make-weight in the deal that brought Rudden to Dens Park as the former Watford man spent the second half of last season on loan at Partick Thistle.
Now, though, the two could be paired up this season with Bowyer happy with their combination at Links Park.
Rudden, too, thinks they make a good partnership.
“I enjoyed it, me and Jak worked well together,” he said.
“Jak got his goal, even if it was off his knee but strikers take that.
“I thought we worked really well at times, there are things we need to get better at but I think we did well.
“I like to go long but can also come to feet and Jak is the same.
“At times in the first half at Montrose, we did give them problems but just couldn’t finish it off.”
Hamilton in sights
Whether the two are paired together on Saturday or not, Rudden is keen to add to his goal tally against Hamilton.
The frontman was a thorn in the side of Accies last season, scoring three times against them.
And he’s desperate for more this weekend.
“I scored two against them when we won 6-1 and then got one in to draw 2-2 at their place,” Rudden added.
“I’m looking forward to playing them, obviously they are a different team now but I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing in a competitive game.
“And scoring goals!”
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