QPR striker Dykes has long-term fan in Scotland boss Clarke

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lyndon Dykes has helped Scotland to their first major finals since 1998 – with national team boss Steve Clarke expressing his long-held admiration for the QPR striker.

The 25-year-old forward was born in Australia but rejected their overtures to pledge his playing allegiance to the Tartan Army.

Dykes has scored two goals in six senior appearances for Scotland and put in a big display as they beat Serbia last week in a play-off to reach Euro 2020.

Clarke says he wanted to sign the player when he was in charge of Livingston.

“I was aware of Lyndon at Queen of the South,” said the Scotland chief. “I knew Kris [Boyd] was coming to the end of his time at Kilmarnock and if I had stayed there he would have been a player I would have been very interested in. But I have to credit Livingston because they stole a march on a few clubs that had watched Lyndon by getting him on a pre-contract in the January. They made a very quick and astute signing.”

Dykes joined QPR in August from Livingston for an undisclosed fee. He has netted three times in nine appearances for Rangers, who are at home to Watford on Saturday.