Dykes debut will make Livi proud
Holt hopes ex-Lions striker will earn his first Scots cap
Livingston boss Gary Holt says he’ll be ‘ tremendously proud’ if former striker Lyndon Dykes makes his Scotland debut this week.
The Australian- born forward became Livi’s record transfer sale just a fortnight ago when he moved to Queens Park Rangers for a fee that could rise to £2.5million.
And following an impressive stint in West Lothian — as well as a tugof- war between Scotland and Australia — the striker could line up in navy blue for the first time at Hampden tomorrow (Friday) for the Nations League clash with Israel.
Steve Clarke’s men then follow that up three days later with an away game against the Czech Republic.
Following a meteoric rise at Livingston which saw him net 14 times in 36 appearances, Holt believes everyone at the club will be bursting with pride if their former striker makes his international bow.
Speaking to the Courier, he said: “There’s a chance he could start on Friday but, hopefully, he at least gets on the pitch — and if that happens, everyone at the club will feel tremendously proud because we all had a part to play.
“He’s someone who always just embraces the challenge that’s in front of him. It doesn’t matter what it is, he smiles, works hard and does his best. That’s what has got him the move and the call-up and I’m sure he’ll be the same when he plays for Scotland.”
As part of the transfer to QPR, the Lions would receive a four-figure sum per cap, with Holt adding: “It was a bit surreal to come home from work on Monday and see pictures of him running about in Scotland gear, but it was brilliant.
“You could see in his face just how delighted he was. He looked like a kid in a candy shop and that’s what you want to see from guys playing for the national team.
“It’s what you want to see from guys here when they’re working. You want them to enjoy it. That’s what he did when he was with us and it won’t be any different while he’s on Scotland duty.”
Facing the media for the first time as a Scotland player, Dykes admitted he owed it to Clarke to represent the country that gave him his big break.
Born in Australia to Scottish parents, the striker spent five years at Queen of the South prior to his move to West Lothian.
He said: “Scotland gave me my chance for my career. I have only played professional four or five years but without Scotland, God knows where I would have been.
“I wanted to give something back to Scotland. When I am here, I feel like I am at home. Without Scotland, I wouldn’t be playing football.”
He added: “If I was playing for Australia, there would have been a lot of travelling but my head was already with Scotland even before I signed for QPR.
“My parents are Scottish, my son was born in Scotland — the country gave me my chance in my career — and I love being in Scotland.”