DYKES IS THE HEAD BOY IN SCOTS ROMP
SUBSTITUTE Lyndon Dykes struck at the double with two headed goals sealing the points for Scotland.
Dykes’ goals came after John Mcginn made amends for his costly World Cup miss by helping Scotland grab control of their Nations League destiny.
The Scotland captain’s wayward header against Ukraine in their semifinal play-off defeat broke Scottish hearts in June.
But his second-half strike here set Steve Clarke’s on their way to victory to put Scotland top of Group E with two matches to go. Second half sub Dykes produced a superb late cameo, adding two headed goals.
Mcginn (below), who was frustrated when missing an open goal with a header against the same opponents, has now scored 14 goals under Clarke.
And it was the Aston Villa midfielder, along with Scott Mctominay, who beat out the rhythm that others followed in a convincing performance.
If Scotland can top this Nations League group after the final two games against Republic of ireland and against this opposition again in Krakow, a play-off place for Euro 2024 will already be theirs.
Scotland need to beat Ireland and then not lose against Ukraine to ensure a play-off place.
Since Ukraine’s victory here to reach the play off final against Wales, Scotland’s progress had “stalled” according to Clarke with two wins over Armenia either side of a crushing defeat to Ireland.
Yet last night Scotland were vibrant, Che Adams could have had a couple and Southampton team-mate Stuart Armstrong a hat-trick.
Scotland were dealt a blow when Everton defender Nathan Patterson was forced off with what looked like a knee ligament injury on 26 minutes.
And Ukraine were fortunate to stay at full strength just before half time when Valeriy Bondar felled Adams with a cynical shoulder charge when the striker was running through on goal. But if Scotland were the better side in the first half they dominated the second Mcginn staying strong to spin Bondar and fire home on 70 minutes. Then Dykes added a second and third, headed goals from Ryan Fraser corners.