Zak Rudden: Can Scotland U21 striker be the difference in Dundee's survival bid?

Things are looking up for Dundee. A first win in 10 Scottish Premiership games has lifted them off the bottom, and new striker Zak Rudden has helped reinvigorate the forward line.

After his debut off the bench in a goalless Dundee derby, the January signing was one of the few positives last weekend when he netted on his first start as James McPake's side lost to relegation rivals Ross County.

Rudden then dovetailed with Danny Mullen to good effect as Dundee stunned Hearts with a 2-1 comeback win at Tynecastle in midweek to end their victory drought and rise two points above St Johnstone.

Could the Scotland Under-21 cap be the difference in his new club's quest for survival?

'For Dundee to survive, they need Rudden scoring'

Former Rangers youth player Rudden's impressive first half of the season at second-tier Partick Thistle had Premiership clubs on high alert.

The ex-Falkirk forward's eight goals in 19 Championship games has helped fuel a title bid for the Firhill side.

But the 22-year-old striker, who had signed a pre-contract with Dundee, swapped a promotion push for a survival dogfight in January after a deal was agreed to bring the move forward.

The Dens Park club reportedly fought off interest from Premiership rivals St Johnstone and Motherwell to secure Rudden, and Thistle right-back Richard Foster believes his former team-mate could prove to be a "very important" acquisition for McPake.

"I'm gutted he left Thistle," the Sportscene pundit tells BBC Scotland. "Outside the Old Firm and Liam Boyce at Hearts, there aren't many better Premiership strikers than Zak, in terms of what he brings the team.

"He's very dynamic, very sharp and a good goalscorer. You've seen that already with the way he stretches teams and how composed he is.

"His movement is very clever, especially for someone so young, and you could see County's defence didn't enjoy playing against him. But if Dundee are going to stay up, they need to make sure he keeps scoring."

How does McPake get the best out him?

The dynamism Foster highlights was evident in Rudden's goal against County, with the forward spinning off the shoulder of his marker to make space for himself.

The composure the Thistle defender references was also demonstrated in the ex-Plymouth Argyle man's finish, taking one touch to set himself before rifling past the keeper.

In 175 minutes across three games in a Dundee shirt, Rudden has hit the target with four of seven shots at goal. At Tynecastle, his three shots was the most of any Dundee player and he and Mullen - who scored the winner - were hailed by McPake for causing the Hearts defence "all sorts of problems".

Rudden had seven touches inside the box - more than double the number he managed against County - suggesting Dundee are doing more to provide for their striker, who Foster believes is a future Scotland international.

"Once Dundee get used to how he plays, they've got players in the likes of Charlie Adam who can find the passes," Foster adds. "Zak constantly plays on the defender's shoulder. In a split second, he makes a move and he's away."

"He has a desire to score goals and be the best player on the pitch, but sometimes he puts so much pressure on himself, which is unusual for someone his age."

With a daunting league fixtures against Celtic to come after a potential banana skin Scottish Cup tie at Peterhead, Dundee will hope their new acquisition is capable of putting the pressure of the club's survival bid on his young shoulders.

Ex-Scotland international Leanne Crichton on BBC Sportscene

It's been a really strong start for Rudden. He was a really strong performer on Saturday, particularly in the first half, leading the line ever so well.

He picks up good areas and knows how to bring his team-mates into play. He plays beyond his maturity as well, something we have seen a lot of in the Championship.