White will use Dykes as his benchmark for Europe and more
Motherwell striker Jordan White has been inspired by the success of Lyndon Dykes.
The two target men played in opposition in the Championship two seasons ago for Inverness Caley Thistle and Queen of the South respectively.
And while White has stepped up to the Premiership with his move to Fir Park, it is Dykes who has really hit the headlines.
Twelve top-flight goals with Livingston helped earn him a £2-million move to QPR in the English Championship.
Then, having opted to make use the grandparent rule to play for Scotland rather Australia – the country of his birth – he got off to a flyer in last week’s Nations League double-header.
Dykes received praise for the way he used his physique and held the ball up on debut against Israel, then followed up with a fine goal in the win over the Czech Republic.
White watched that with interest, and said: “When I look at someone like Lyndon, it makes me realise that there are still steps I can take in my career.
“I played against him when we were in the same league and felt I did every bit as good as he did.
“Fair play to him. He’s stepped up to the mark, came up to the top league last year and played really well. He’s a top player.
“We have similar styles, and seeing what he’s done gives me the belief that I can go and do it.”
Thursday provides White with a chance to show the lessons he’s learned in a career spent in the lower levels in Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, England and Wales, with Motherwell travelling to Northern Ireland to play Coleraine in the Europa League qualifiers.
“Getting to play in Europe is brilliant for me, given the journey I’ve been on to get here,” said the 28-year-old.
“The boys did unbelievably well to qualify for the Europa League last season. We deserve to be there and I’m just glad to be part of it.
“Whatever I can do to help the team, I’ll try my best to do that. But it’s a great experience.
“I always felt I could get to this level. I’ve always had confidence in my ability
“In fact, I probably feel that I should have been here earlier.
“But sometimes in football, you make decisions or pick up wee injuries – you just have to work hard to get on the way back there.
“You can also progress too quickly. The journey I’ve had so far has stood me in good stead.
“It has given me a lot of experience and goals. It’s my job to put that into Motherwell now.
“I’ve never really played against European teams, where it’s definitely different. But it’s a great test and challenge for all of us. We want to take the opportunity.”
Coleraine caused the shock of the First-Round qualifiers by knocking out Maribor – a club with Champions League and Europa League group experience – and Whyte acknowledges their threat.
“That result was an eyeopener, absolutely,” he said of the penalty shoot-out win.
“They even caused the Old Firm problems in the past.
“So that was a fantastic one for them, and we aren’t going into this thinking it’ll be an easy game.
“It will be a similar challenge to Glentoran. Our quality paid off after they went down to 10 men (Motherwell won 5-1), but for 50 minutes it was very tight.”