Lyndon will leave mark on big guns, reckons Reid

IN his brief-but-bloody reign of terror against Scottish defenders, Lyndon Dykes’ most high-profile victim was Christopher Jullien.

Celtic’s £7million colossus famously remarked that facing the-then Livingston forward, who scored in a 2-0 home win for the Lions last October (below), made him feel ‘nervous’.

However, after watching the 24-year-old dish out similarly brutal treatment to other Premiership centre-halves, Steven Reid believes even the likes of Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk would know they had been in a game when up against the new £2m QPR front man. Scotland assistant Reid, who starred for the Republic of Ireland on their run to the last 16 at the World Cup in 2002, admits he personally would have hated facing the Australia-born forward in his own playing days. And, should Dykes get the nod against Israel in the Nations League at Hampden on Friday night, three days before facing the Czech Republic in Olomouc, Reid is certain he will make his mark at international level.

‘It is always going to be a difficult game for any defender playing against players like Lyndon Dykes — whether you are a top defender in the world or not,’ said Reid. ‘Watching him closely over a long period of time, he has a big physical presence.

‘I was personally at games to watch him with Livingston last season and he has upset a lot of centre-backs over the last year. He gave some of the big boys a really difficult afternoon.

‘He is one of those physical attacking players that, certainly towards the end of my career when I was a defender, I hated playing against.

‘Hopefully he continues to show that for his club and, more importantly for us, with Scotland.’

Asked if he was likely to start on Friday night, Reid replied: ‘He could be. That is something we will look at over the next few days. There’s no doubt he’ll be getting games at some point in time.

‘It’s about assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and choosing the right time. But, yes, he is in with a good shout. He has plenty to offer.’

Despite the late call-up of Callum Paterson, Dykes finds himself in prime position to make a debut start against Israel after injuries to Oli McBurnie and Lawrence Shankland.

Yesterday he was showing no signs of strain at the prospect of the spotlight being on him on Friday night, giving a confident and assured display on the training pitch and in his press conference.

‘Lyndon’s training performance on Monday was not like someone who was nervous and finding their feet,’ said Reid.

‘He hit the ground running and he was a bright and positive personality.

‘We are looking forward to seeing a little bit more of that.

‘I said to Lyndon in the warm-up that he is here on merit. He is still buzzing about his big move to QPR. I’ve no doubt he will be a big success there and now it’s about carrying on his club form with Scotland and not changing his game.

‘Of course there will be tactical elements he has to take on board but ultimately he should stick to what got him in this Scotland squad in the first place.

‘And that’s his performances on the pitch, which have been really consistent for a long period of time. ‘We are delighted to have him involved. He is a confident lad and a good personality, who has fitted straight in. Hopefully he has a big future with Scotland.’ Reid drove from London to Scotland on Sunday to avoid the need for air travel, minimising the chance of contracting Covid-19. As a tough year for everyone enters its final few months, the 39-year-old hopes Steve Clarke’s national team can put smiles on fans’ faces by ending the country’s long exile from major finals. To do that they must navigate the play-off semi-final next month, when they host Israel again, followed by Norway or Serbia in the final to reach the Euros next summer. ‘Yes, it definitely would lighten the mood,’ he said. ‘If we look back a few months ago, these big games we have coming up must have seemed like a million miles away. It was probably the last thing on anyone’s mind. ‘But now they are here and then we have the play-off game to look forward to. ‘Everyone has had their own difficulties and issues this year — not just on a football pitch but with people’s health. ‘Hopefully we can give everyone a lift. It’s going to be a shame the fans are not allowed into Hampden on Friday night but we know the country is going to be right behind the players.’