SCOTLAND B
LYNDON DYKES knows Euro 2020 will be even more special now the Tartan Army will be in the stands to cheer on Scotland.
UEFA confirmed last week Glasgow would remain as a host city after the Scottish Government gave the green light for around 12,000 supporters to get into all the Hampden clashes.
Scotland play at home against the Czech Republic as well as Croatia in between facing a trip to Wembley to take on England at this summer’s Euros extravaganza.
Dykes, who scored last night for QPR, is desperate to book his place in Steve Clarke’s squad and find the net in front of Scotland fans for the first time.
The striker made his debut last August and has played his entire international career in lockdown – apart from a handful of supporters at the recent World Cup qualifier in Israel.
Dykes said: “It is brilliant news that there are going to be fans at the Euros.
“It is great there will be Scotland fans at all the games and especially at Hampden.
“I have played a few games for Scotland but none of them in front of the fans. I am one of those players who loves the buzz of the crowd and to get that from the Scotland support is something I am really looking forward to.
“Even the thought of the crowd singing the national anthem with the team is something I am looking forward to.
“It would also be great to get out in front of them and repay them with some wins and goals. To do that, I need to keep playing well to make sure I am in the squad.
“The only international game I have been involved in with supporters was the last game against Israel. There were only a few thousand but it made a real difference.
“I just want to get out in front of the Scotland fans and to give them something to shout about. They have been really supportive on Instagram, so it will be good to hear them cheer the team on – especially at Hampden.”
The QPR star has become one of Clarke’s main men since he came in for the Nations League play-off semi-final win over Israel.
He is one of the in-form forwards in the English Championship and aims to keep that going right through to the summer.
Dykes said: “I am pleased to be back among the goals. I feel I am playing well and I am full of confidence.
“I just want to keep it going for the rest of the season, to finish strongly with Queens Park Rangers and to make sure I am in the Scotland squad for the
European Championships. They are the two big aims for me between now and the end of the season.”
The former Livingston and Queen of the South frontman knows Scotland will be heading into the summer full of hope after an unbeaten start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, with draws against Austria and Israel on top of a win over the Faroe Islands.
The 25-year-old said: “The World Cup qualifiers were good. We went into them on a high and wanted to show we are growing as a team.
“I think we did that, going unbeaten in our first three games. We came out of it with even more confidence that we can now build on that going into the Euros.
“The manager was able to bring in one or two new faces and that shows the strength and depth that the squad now has.”
Scotland have never been top heavy with strikers but the competition on that front is heating up.
Southampton star Che Adams came in along with Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet, while Dundee United’s Lawrence Shankland and Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths will be looking to force their way back into the fold.
Dykes said: “Che came in and did really well. He is a top striker and he has settled in really well. I also felt we built up a decent partnership in the final game against the Faroe Islands and I definitely feel it is something we can work on and get even stronger together.
“Kevin also came in and he has done well after a good first season with Hibs.”
The Scotland star is pleased with the early impact he has made in the Championship and acknowledged it did take some time to physically adapt.
Dykes said: “I have really enjoyed my first season. There have been a lot of ups, playing at this level and against top players.
“I feel I have done well and I believe I can do even better.
“Playing in the Championship is full on and you are playing every few days.
“That took a toll on me physically and took a bit of getting used to. I now feel equipped and able to cope with those rigours.”