FALKIRK boss Ray McKinnon has urged his misfiring Bairns to take the pressure off prolific teenager Zak Rudden.
Rudden, on loan from Rangers, has already bagged 11 goals this term and completed a clean sweep of the club’s awards on Sunday evening.
McKinnon has nothing but admiration for the 19-year-old following a ‘phenomenal’ campaign – but believes it is time for Rudden’s teammates to step up to the mark.
The Bairns have failed to score in their last two matches and have found the net just five times in eight games.
And McKinnon is holding out for a hero on Saturday, knowing they must beat champions Ross County and hope Ayr defeat Alloa to avoid automatic relegation to League 1.
He said: “Zak has been phenomenal for us this season. That [awards clean sweep] was deserved. He has come in here and gives everything to the cause.
“He knocks his pan in, scores important goals and, for or such a young boy, we have been delighted with him.
“Zak deserves all the credit and plaudits the people give him – but we also need other players to step up.
“If they get into the right areas, take up the mantle, be positive and try to score goals. We can’t just look to Zak in every game, we need goals from other parts of the team.
“Everyone knows what is at stake on Saturday and we are drumming into the players this week to be clinical. When the chance comes along, step up; don’t pass the buck. We need somebody to step up and take responsibility to score a goal on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Falkirk are sweating over the fitness of key duo Deimantas Petravicius and Paul Paton. Neither player has trained this week due to slight knocks.
