HOLT HOPES GOAL-HERO DYKES WILL BE HANDED A CALL-UP FOR SCOTLAND
GARY HOLT insists Celtic-slaying striker Lyndon Dykes could be the answer to Scotland’s problems in attack.
Born in Gold Coast to Dumfries-born parents, the 23-year-old struck his fourth Livingston goal in six games as Neil Lennon’s champions slid to their first domestic defeat of the season.
Second-half goals from Scott Robinson and Dykes took full advantage of a red card for Celtic’s Ryan Christie after 26 minutes.
Sitting on five goals for the season, Dykes speaks with a broad Australian accent.
Yet to be enlisted by the Socceroos at any level, however, Livvy boss Holt has urged Scots boss Steve Clarke to give the striker a call after he also caught the eye in a narrow Betfred Cup defeat to Rangers.
‘I was championing his case for Australia until this morning when I realised he was eligible for Scotland,’ said Holt. ‘I think he can step up, not a problem.
‘He’s shown the qualities he’s got. It’s probably refreshing that he doesn’t care who he’s playing against.
‘It could be in the park with his pals or live on TV. It doesn’t matter. He puts a shift in. He wants to score goals and make it uncomfortable for defenders, so they know they have been in a game.’
A rugby league player as a kid, Dykes is non-committal on who he would prefer to play for. Asked if he could offer an indication, Holt shrugged: ‘I haven’t a clue. I haven’t asked him. He’s a big rugby league man.
‘He just wants his chance and I’ve told him if you keep working hard and keep your head down, you’ll get your opportunity.
‘It’s refreshing to see a kid that’s come up the hard way, a bit like myself.
‘You don’t always get the smooth transition all the way through. He’s come over, worked hard, done well at Queen of the South and progressed to this stage.’
Dykes put the seal on Livingston’s first-ever win over Celtic with a route-one strike after 73 minutes.
Holt rang the changes after last weekend’s loss to Hamilton and earned his reward with the club’s maiden victory against the Parkhead side.
‘These things are there to be broken,’ said Holt. ‘We did it last year with the points we got and the clean sheets and the goals we scored. It’s another tick in the box. I’m over the moon.’
Claiming a deserved red card for Christie was less of a factor in the win than many believed, Holt added: ‘I actually thought we played better against 11.
‘We were right at it. It was a really good game then we got a bit disjointed because we had the extra man but there were gaps. We spoke to them at half-time about being patient and working the areas. Could we go around them? Playing against ten men, it’s always hard to go through.
‘The first goal was the important one. It gets you ahead in the game and it makes it a wee bit more open. I’m pleased for big Lyndon as he missed a chance against Rangers in a similar situation when he was in.
‘We spoke to him about it and the technique of doing it and, thankfully, he took it on board. It was a great finish. But I do think the first goal was great.’
Surprised to be given so much time and space to run on to Robbie Crawford’s deft through ball and finish, goalscorer Robinson said: ‘Robbie played a great ball through. Thankfully, I got the shot away.
‘I just composed myself and steadied myself and made sure I hit the target. That is all you can really ask — hit the target. It will either go in or the goalie makes a good save.’
Admitting the win was one of the best of his career, former Hearts player Robinson said: ‘It is right up there. After last week, you were looking down the table rather than up the table. The quicker we pick up points, the better. This is massive for us.
‘We all know what it takes. If we are all pulling in the same direction, this is the kind of upset we are capable of.
‘I think the red card helped. It gave us an extra man. We thought we could press higher and force them into mistakes and that was the case.’