DYKES MAKES A SONG AND DANCE TO FIT DOWN UNDER
LYNDON DYKES aims to use his switch to Livingston as a springboard to the Australian national side — after being forced to belt out their anthem in training.
Dykes, 23, has hit the ground running in pre-season, notching a clinical goal against Slovakian outfit SKF Sered during Livvy’s Hungarian training camp last week.
And he reckons starring in the top flight for the first time in his career could catch the eye of Socceroos boss Graham Arnold, who will be tracking Aussie stars like Tom Rogic, Martin Boyle, Oliver Bozanic and Daniel Arzani.
Dykes said: ‘Playing for Australia is definitely a dream for me. I would love to represent my country and, if you don’t set yourself goals like that, why bother playing?
‘However, I know that won’t be possible unless I get in the Livingston team and prove I can perform at Premiership level. If I do well, then hopefully the Socceroos come knocking.
‘They have looked increasingly overseas for talent and, with guys like Martin Boyle getting an opportunity, Graham Arnold obviously has his eyes on Scottish football and rates the league.
‘Now that I’m in the Premiership, it would be amazing to get on their radar.’
Dykes, who started in Livvy’s 2-1 win over Tranmere in St Andrews yesterday, added: ‘I’ve also got a British passport, in case Scotland are interested!’
Dykes will be ready for his rendition of Advance Australia
Fair if the call does come. The Aussie national anthem was the only song that came to mind when Dykes was forced to perform in front of his Livvy team-mates as forfeit for a dodgy showing in training.
He added: ‘I was a bit nervous at first to meet all the boys but I’m really enjoying it. People talk about the team spirit and camaraderie at Livvy and, on the first day, I walked in and could what they mean.
‘The only downside has been the singing. I lost one of the games and they made me sing in front of all the lads as a forfeit. I ended up belting out the Australian national anthem — I couldn’t remember the lyrics to any other songs!
‘Then Ricki Lamie ended up doing Islands In The Stream and put me to shame. He was much better than me and now he’s all over Twitter! I’ll need to produce something special with my next one.’