‘That’s twice I’ve ruffled up big Jullien...’
FROM BACK PAGE keeping tabs on the 24-year-old but Record Sport understands the Queensland-born hitman – whose family hail from Dumfries – is on the verge pledging his support for the Aussies.
Dykes has publicly insisted he is keeping his options open while he waits for either nation to make their move.
But Australia have been the first to make contact and it is understood the former Queen of the South man believes the men from Down Under could help him achieve his dream of playing at the World Cup.
Dykes was coy about his international future in the wake of the Celtic game.
He said: “International squads are announced in two weeks and obviously I would love something to happen.
“It’s news to me that Australia were here watching me. Hopefully, I impressed them.
“It would be a dream to play internationally for any footballer. It’s one of those things that it has to come to the table.
“I am in the dark about it. I’ve just got to see what happens.”
When pressed on his preference, Dyke said: “I’m not quite sure. It’s so hard. Whoever wants to come and speak to me then I am open to speaking to them both and see what happens.
“But I am only thinking about a top-six finish for
Livingston and anything above that is a bonus.”
Dykes is hot property after coming out on top in another joust with Christopher Jullien.
And he reckons the Celtic defender was left feeling sheepish after the scrap.
Jullien confessed to struggling with the targetman when the Lions mauled the Hoops 2-0 back in October and the Frenchman was wobbling again at the Tony Macaroni in midweek.
Dykes said: “I just go out like it’s another person and do my best. That’s twice now I’ve ruffled him about a bit and he hasn’t liked it. So that’s pleasing.
“But he’s a great player and he shows that week in and week out.
“Maybe he was a bit timid and a few times I got in behind him and he was a bit nervous.
“It’s a big compliment to me because he’s a £7million defender saying something like that about me. He’s a great player.”
Livingston were denied another famous win in stoppage time but are still in the hunt to bag a top-six slot and are unbeaten in their last 10 league games at the Tony Macaroni – with eight wins.
Dykes said: “We were really happy with the point. We were unlucky to concede right at the end but Celtic are such a good team. The boys should hold their heads high.”