McGinn’s theory about big Dykes does hold water

JOHN McGINN said it: “Lyndon Dykes is a player who can hurt anybody in the world.”

The stand-in Scotland skipper’s glowing summary of the big striker’s impact in just five games for the nation might have been fuelled by the adrenaline rush of another victory.

But it carried a fair degree of truth too.

Scotland have found the No.9 they’ve been craving and it’s as if the former Doonhamer from Doon Under was made for the role.

And for Rangers supporters there must be a lingering feeling of ‘what if?’ every time they see the hitman ruffing up defenders.

The fact it was McGinn delivering the praise was fitting given that the former Livingston and Queen of the South striker’s departure from Scottish football a couple of months ago had more than a few parallels to the midfielder’s move from Hibs to Aston Villa two years back.

Like McGinn, Dykes’ performances in the top flight of Scottish football grabbed the attention of one of the Premiership’s big two.

Just like Celtic and McGinn, Rangers dipped a toe in but decided against splashing out for a player now proving he’s the real deal on the international stage.

So it was left to ex-Gers boss Mark Warburton to nip in and seal what must go down as a steal south of the border.

The £2million it took for QPR to prise Dykes away from the Tony Macaroni Arena will be small change compared to what he will be worth if he continues to smash it in the Championship and if he can help end Scotland’s 23-year wait for a major tournament.

McGinn went from a £3m player to being touted as a £50m Manchester United target in the space of a year. And while that might have been fantasy stuff you could add a zero on to the fee which Villa agreed with Hibs.

Back to Dykes though. And while Rangers boss Steven Gerrard must be content with the striking options he has after bringing in Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten, it’s fair to say the new guys have still to find top gear.

Dykes was readymade for the battle which lies ahead in a season like no other for the Ibrox club – yet there are still critics who reckon he’s nothing more than a battering ram.

That may be one quality but there’s so much more to his game. His work rate, flick-ons, link-up, hold-up – Dykes

Lyndon may be a rough diamond that is only half polished

has it all and he showed awareness to play in Ryan Fraser for the only goal against the Czechs on Wednesday night too.

But the big question was could he deliver the most vital commodity of them all on the big stage – goals?

Two months into the season, he’s answered that question too.

Two in four games for QPR and two in five caps.

Dykes may be a rough diamond that is still only half polished.

But at 25 and with a massive season ahead he looks hungry to take his game to new levels.

And that’s got to be good news for Scotland. Let’s hope Dykes gets a chance to prove McGinn right on the biggest stage of them all.

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