At just 18 years old, Rudi Bryce has already featured for the Kelty Hearts first team this season. Rudi was signed, initially for the under 20s squad, at the start of the season and has been training with the first team.
Coming from the Isle of Man, Rudi signed for Livingston at 16 and spent two years at the West Lothian side. He would make his debut for the Maroon Machine in the SPFL Trust Trophy win over Elgin – and has made two appearances in the league since then.
“The standard over here is miles different,” Rudi told Kelty Hearts TV, “in the Isle of Man you can’t play professional football. So that is why I moved over here, to try and make a professional career.”
After a successful trial period, Rudi signed for Livingston under 18s but found the pathway frustrating. “For me, I wanted to play first team football. Playing reserve football every two weeks wasn’t for me, I went to a few training sessions with Kelty and really enjoyed it” he added.
Within a month of being with Kelty Hearts, Rudi had started training with the first team alongside playing for the under 20s. “The training and coaching with the first team is a higher standard and helps you develop as a player.”
Rudi admitted one of the factors of joining Kelty was the potential pathway to the first team: “I saw Kelty’s squad at the start of the season was smaller than others so I backed myself to break through.” When that breakthrough came, Rudi enjoyed the experience. “I’ve felt a little bit of pressure but I feel comfortable in my ability to go on and perform.”
Rudi has been in good company with a number of players with little SPFL experience playing alongside players with hundreds of appearances throughout the years. With a healthy mix of experience and youth in the squad, there are an abundance of players that youngsters coming through can learn from. “I think it’s a good balance. Learning from experienced players helps develop the younger guys in the team.”
The playing and coaching staff have been instrumental in nurturing the young talents coming through. Rudi has been full of praise for the gaffer Michael Tidser “he’s been great with me. The way he coaches is really good for the young players.” For Rudi, top goalscorer Ross Cunningham and Craig Johnston have been identified as players he can “learn from. I play on the left or the right and Ross plays through the middle but the way he moves the ball is good to see. CJ as well, I watch what he does and try to learn from him.”
Written by: Jamie Szmitz
Photography: Kevin Marshall (@KayemPhoto)