Celtic destroyer Dykes in with a Socceroos shout

The hum around Livingston striker Lyndon Dykes is turning into a holler, with champions Celtic the latest to suffer at hands of the Gold Coast export who has designs on a Socceroos shirt.

Aussie striker Lyndon Dykes celebrates after scoring for Livingston in their 2-0 win against Celtic Source: Getty Images

The 23-year-old, who less than four years ago was working in a factory pressing numbers and badges on sports apparel, is already on Australia coach Graham Arnold’s watch list.

And with Scotland also an option for the dual nationality forward, a call up might come sooner rather than later, with Dykes’ lobbed finish sealing a surprise 2-0 home win against 10-man Celtic overnight to further enhance his claims.

It was the ex-rugby league rookie’s fourth goal in all competitions for the club he joined from second tier Queen of the South, as he transitions seamlessly to Scotland’s top flight.

“Hopefully if I can continue doing what I’m doing then I’ll get noticed by Australia,” Dykes told The World Game after another influential performance to build on his recent man of the match display against Rangers.

“My phone went crazy after the game and I think the Scotland manager (Steve Clarke) was there watching it.

“It makes me happy when people are talking about me, and there was a bit of that also after today’s game.”

Dykes’ preference is to play for Australia ahead of the country of his parents.

But he isn’t taking anything for granted in what is only his third season as a full-time professional after cutting his teeth in the Scottish Championship where he was known more for his assists than his goals. 

“If Australia didn’t come and Scotland came I wouldn’t say no to them,” he added.

“But obviously you need to get the opportunity to get that far and for me it’s a matter of keeping my head down and working hard.

“When you’re young you always dream about playing for your country and I’m no different.

“I’d love to play international football one day. It’s a big goal of mine.

“I think I’ve been doing well and I need to keep proving people wrong by showing I can make the step up to the SPL, and just keep going from here.”

The humbling of the Hoops, with Socceroo Tom Rogic absent from Neil Lennon’s squad, was the perfect platform for Dykes, who counts Queens striker Stephen Dobbie as his biggest career influence to date.

Scott Robinson gave Livingston, now sixth on the ladder, the lead just after half-time with Dykes delivering the killer blow in the 73rd minute before departing late on with the recurrence of an ankle niggle.

“I go in every day at Livingston and try to improve my game and hopefully people recognize that,” he said.

“I’m playing more as a focal point than I have in the past and hopefully more goals will come.

“I’ve missed a couple of games - one to suspension and one to injury. 

“The most important thing is to win games and if we do that, whether I’m scoring or not, then I’m happy.

“I’ve improved my fitness and physicality and that’s helped a lot. I think I’m only getting better each week.”