DYKES READY FOR LIFT-OFF
Fresh from learning his trade in the SPFL, Clarke says Scots’ new recruit Dykes is...
STEVE CLARKE watched in full approval as Lyndon Dykes embarked on a rapid journey of selfimprovement fuelled by determination and self-confidence.
In the space of little more than a year, the striker has gone from the Scottish Championship to a £2million entry into its English equivalent.
That impressive rise, achieved thanks to a highly profitable pit stop at Livingston, is one Clarke feels can now be extended onto the international scene.
In Dykes, he very much sees a player who can lift his squad. One with attributes to bring the best out of those around him. Delight at the 24-year-old opting for Scotland ahead of Australia is bolstered by a knowledge that his best is yet to come. Born on the Gold Coast to Scottish parents, Dykes has been at the centre of an international tug-of-war for the past six months.
That contest ended yesterday when Clarke included him in his selection for next month’s Nations League matches against Israel and the Czech Republic.
‘For Lyndon, I’d imagine it would be a decision that’s based on family as well as football,’ said the Scotland boss.
‘It’s a long way to travel to Australia for international games. He’s just got his move to England. It’s a good move for him and I know QPR is a good club.
‘Mark Warburton is a good coach who will help him to develop going forward and, hopefully, that development will include becoming a key part of our squad going forward.
‘I like the fact he’s improving.
He came through at Queen of the South. It took him a bit of time but he found his level. He got better at Livingston and they did really good business to steal a march and get him signed.
‘There were maybe a few questions about whether he would step up to the Premiership but he did that comfortably and became a good striker at that level. He’s strong, he doesn’t mind the physical side of the game. His hold-up play is decent and the way he plays will help us.
‘We have a lot of good attacking midfield players and it is important you have a striker who can hold the ball up and bring these players into play. I think Lyndon can do that.’
Steven Naismith led the line when Scotland last played — a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan last November — but he has not been included as Hearts do not begin their Championship season until October.
Dykes could therefore make his debut when Israel visit Hampden for a behind-closed-doors fixture on September 4, although Clarke also stressed the value of a forward rival.
‘Lyndon is confident in his ability and feels he can come into the squad and challenge for a starting spot,’ said Clarke.
‘That’s great because it’s an area of the pitch where we need a little more strength in depth.
‘I have to mention Oli McBurnie here because Oli maybe hasn’t quite caught fire on the international stage, but he had a terrific season for Sheffield United last year in the English Premier League.’
Asked about the process to land Dykes, Clarke reflected on initial phone calls staged in March.
‘I was really honest with him and he was really honest with me,’ he said. ‘It was a really tough decision for the lad to make.
‘Thankfully, he came down on our side. I didn’t make him any big promises but I told him what I saw in the squad and what I saw for him. His attributes can help us and make the squad better.
‘In a situation like that, I don’t think it’s fair to pressure anybody. It’s obviously a big decision.
‘His sister is an Australian international gymnast. He was brought up there.
‘I didn’t want to put him under any pressure and I’m sure Graham Arnold (Australia head coach) was the same. He has to be comfortable with the decision.’
The forthcoming games offer Clarke a chance to shake off the rust of a nine-month lay-off as preparations continue for the Euro 2020 play-offs.
‘I’m absolutely buzzing,’ he enthused. ‘I can’t wait for the games. It’s been a long, long wait. I love my wife very much but it’s time to get out and about again and get on with some work.’
Kieran Tierney is in the squad for the first time under Clarke after the £25million left-back showed emphatically that he was over fitness issues with an impressive end to Arsenal’s FA Cup-winning season.
It means Clarke is now the latest Scotland manager to ponder the conundrum of how best to use both Tierney and Andy Robertson.
‘They’ve played together before,’ he said. ‘Gordon (Strachan) used Kieran as a right-back, which was one way to fit them in. Kieran can play left centre-back, he can play left of a back three or pushed on as a wing-back.
‘He played all those positions for Arsenal towards the end of last season and did very, very well.’
Clarke is confident in the fitness of his English-based contingent despite the Nations League games coming in the week before the resumption of the Premier League and the Championship south of the border.
However, walking out in front of empty Hampden stands for the Israel match will be something new for him.
‘You can’t sit here and moan about not getting people in the stadium when there is so much going on in the world just now,’ he said. ‘We’ll be guided by the authorities and officials and hopefully, given a fair crack of the whip or a break from the virus, we can start towards getting supporters back in the stadium.’