Deadly Dykes puts club form ahead of Socceroos hopes

Dual-nationality striker Lyndon Dykes has sought to play down speculation over his international aspirations after his first hat-trick for Livingston saw the spotlight shine his way.

Lyndon Dykes celebrates his hat-trick Source: Getty Images

The Gold Coast-born forward is eligible for both Australia and Scotland - the land of his parents.

And with seven goals in 14 Scottish Premiership appearances for Livingston - in his first full season - the 24-year-old has been hailed as a likely target for both nations.

However, Dykes is more interested in letting his club form talk for him, rather than talking up his own attributes.

“I’ve really heard nothing from either Australia or Scotland,” said Dykes in the wake of his weekend treble in the 4-0 thumping of Ross County.

“All I’m focusing on is my club football ... getting my head down and working hard.

“It would be amazing if I ever got the opportunity to play international football. If the chance ever comes I’ll think about then.

“But right now I’m tuning it out of my mind and I’m focused on keeping us in the top six by getting a result at Aberdeen on Boxing Day.”

Dykes’ first preference would be Australia, and he will have ample time to further press his claims ahead of March 26’s next 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on home soil against Kuwait.

Coach Graham Arnold, who has previously indicated that Dykes is being monitored, already has two in-form strikers to pick from in Adam Taggart and Jamie Maclaren, with Apostolos Giannou also in the mix.

“For me, it’s all about scoring goals and getting assists - and if something pops up in the future I’ll grab it with both hands. Who knows what the future holds? added Dykes.

“Obviously, if Australia were to come I’d be more than happy to play for them.”

Dykes has morphed from a foil for fellow frontman Stephen Dobbie, at former club Queen of the South, to the focal point at Livingston.

His weekend treble was the first by Livingston player in the top flight - and the first of his professional career.

“I’m buzzing to be honest,” he said.

“I’ve got over a niggling injury and I’m feeling good again.

“I’m confident in myself and feel if I get chances in games I’ll put them away.

“I only had about four chances against Ross County and I scored three - a left footer, a right footer and a header. So I’m happy with that.

“I was close to a hat-trick a couple of times with Queens but it never quite happened.

"So it was a bit special for me.

“As a player, I’m just trying to push myself to get better each day at training.

“When I get those one or two chances in a game I need to be scoring them, so I’ve working a lot on my sharpness in front of goal to be as clinical as possible.

“I’m trying to get to the highest possible level in my career. I don’t want to be looking back in the future and be regretting anything.