Lyndon Dykes: Striker 'always knew' he would pick Scotland over Australia
- Published
Lyndon Dykes had "postive talks" with Scotland boss Steve Clarke before lockdown
Uefa Nations League: Scotland v Israel |
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Venue: Hampden Date: Friday, 4 September Kick-off: 19:45 BST |
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland 810MW/DAB/online; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app; highlights on BBC Scotland channel from 22:30 |
Lyndon Dykes "always knew" he would declare to play for Scotland as he bids to become an "international great".
Queens Park Rangers striker Dykes, 24, was born and raised in Australia to Scottish parents while his gymnast sister represents their country of birth.
But he could feature for the Scots in their Nations League opener against Israel on Friday.
"Without Scotland, I wouldn't be playing football," said Dykes.
"My ambition is always to be the best I can be. I want to play at the top level. Even at club, I want to play in the Premier League.
"At international, I want to be the best I can be. I want to be known as one of the greats.
"Before coming in I spoke to James McFadden a lot - he was at Queen of the South with me. He gave me a lot of advice and before making decisions I ring him and hopefully I can maybe step up like him.
"I definitely strive for, at the end of my career, to be someone to be remembered by the fans and by everyone in Scotland."
Dykes scored 36 goals in Scottish football across spells with Queen of the South and Livingston.
He joined QPR from Livi in a £2m deal earlier this month and netted in their recent friendly win over AFC Wimbledon.
With Oli McBurnie and Lawrence Shankland withdrawing and Leigh Griffiths also injured, Dykes is the only recognised centre-forward in Clarke's squad, although Oliver Burke and Callum Paterson both have experience of the role for club and country.
"[My parents] would've supported me wherever I played," Dykes explained. "If I picked Australia, they would've been happy. If I picked Scotland, they would've been happy.
"I wanted to give something back to Scotland. I feel like I'm at home. My little boy was born in Scotland."
Meanwhile, former Newcastle coach John Carver has joined Clarke's backroom team, replacing Alex Dyer, who is unable to continue due to his commitments with Kilmarnock.
Carver, 55, served as an assistant to Sir Bobby Robson and had three spells as caretaker boss at St James' Park.
John Carver (left) will assist Steve Clarke, along with Steven Reid (right)