Latest news with #LyndonDykes
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Dykes tips Leonard for Scotland call-up
Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes reckons his Birmingham City team-mate Marc Leonard could soon be pushing for a place in Steve Clarke's squad. (Scottish Sun), externalManager Brian Riemer insists he will accept no excuses if Denmark don't beat Scotland in their World Cup qualifying opening game and go on to win the group because they are better than Steve Clarke's side. (The Herald, external - subscription required)Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Lyndon Dykes tips Birmingham team mate for surprise Scotland call-up as he opens up on his own year of hell
'MOST DIFFICULT' Lyndon Dykes tips Birmingham team mate for surprise Scotland call-up as he opens up on his own year of hell Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BIRMINGHAM may have stormed their way to the League One title — but it's been a year to forget for hitman Lyndon Dykes. The Scotland striker was a big-name arrival from QPR last summer, but only scored one goal for the Blues in an injury-plagued campaign. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 But Dykes, 29, hopes to use the close season to get back to peak fitness. He said: 'It's been my most difficult campaign with injuries. Getting injured before the Euros was very disappointing, and being injured during the back end of last season too and being out for a long time has been really tough. 'But I was back on the grass towards the end of the month and I've been working a lot in the gym. 'I'm feeling really good. Being injured and being in a boot for so long, you have to focus on other things. 'I've been focusing on working as much as I can to put a lot of muscle on, and make sure I come back in the best possible shape. 'If you feel good on the pitch, you can perform. That's what I aim to do. 'I didn't want to go down to League One, but what they are trying to do for the future at Birmingham is something that appealed to me. 'This season was a step backwards but it was two steps forward as well. We had a great campaign, we beat the world record for points in a season — 111 points. 'The way Birmingham is growing and the way I'm feeling, it's going to be a very successful future. Hopefully I can be a part of that." Dykes was a key man in Scotland's 2022 World Cup qualifiers with key goals, including three winners against Moldova, Israel, Austria and the Faroes. He believes he can recapture that form — despite not having scored a goal for his country since the win in Norway in June 2023. Dykes added: 'The best feeling in the world is scoring goals. 'I went on a great run for Scotland in the last World Cup qualifying campaign, I got big goals when we needed them. That's what I aim to do again. 'I've been stuck on nine goals for a little bit now so I'm desperate to hit double figures. 'The World Cup is the aim. I was lucky enough to play in the first Euros we qualified for, now I want to be there next summer too. 'If we qualify for the World Cup it would be absolutely amazing for the whole country.' Dykes has been left out of Steve Clarke's squad for the friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein, but he insists they are vital to rebuild morale in the Scotland squad. He said: 'They are definitely important games. It can be difficult, having friendlies in the summer because it's a long season for boys, and there will be some guys playing with injuries. 'But there will be boys looking forward to being in a team environment and getting some minutes to get ready for next season.' Injuries aside, Dykes also spent eight days in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia two years ago, and it took him a while to recover. He added: 'I've been through a little bit, in the hospital with health stuff. You've just got to get through it — it builds your character and makes you stronger in the long run. 'That's why I've switched my brain to think about the positives of some things, like going out to the Euros last summer, and just being around the boys and doing a little bit of TV work there.' Dykes has tipped Blues midfielder Marc Leonard — a former Rangers youth player — as someone Clarke should be watching. He said: 'I definitely think he could make the step up. He hasn't featured in the full Scotland squad yet but he'a a great player. 'From what I've seen of Marc he's definitely got a future, and he could be someone we look to going forward.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Dykes targets Scotland's June friendlies for return
Lyndon Dykes hopes to return from injury in time for Scotland's June friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein. The Birmingham City striker has been out since February with a calf problem, missing the club's run-in as English League One champions. The 29-year-old won the last of his 42 caps in November's win away to Poland in the Nations League. "I'm feeling good," he told BBC Scotland. "I've been on the pitch running this week. "Hopefully I can get through a couple more weeks of rehab with the physios and the aim is to be involved in the June camp for Scotland." Dykes, who has scored nine international goals, was ruled out for the Nations League play-off loss to Greece and also missed Euro 2024 with ankle ligament damage picked up in training just days before the squad left for Germany. "This whole season has been tough but I'm sure I'll come out of it strong and get back to playing consistently and delivering the goods," he added. "Having these internationals coming up is good for me to get into that rhythm again and gives me something to look forward to. "I've been looking at those games, then have a little break and come back flying for next season." Iceland will visit Hampden Park on 6 June (19:45 BST) and Steve Clarke's side will travel to Vaduz to take on Liechtenstein on 9 June (18:00).
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Greece 0-1 Scotland: Key stats
Scotland have recorded three successive wins against nations higher than them in the Fifa world rankings for the first time since October faced 24 shots against Greece, their most while keeping a clean sheet in all competitions since March 2007 against France in the Euro qualifiers (26). Only one of Greece's 24 shots were on target, though produced an xG total of 2.86, compared to Scotland's have scored eight of their past nine penalties taken in all competitions (excluding shootouts), with the exception being Lyndon Dykes against Israel in a World Cup qualifier in October 2021. Indeed, no side has scored more penalties in the Nations League than the Scots' have won their past two away games in all competitions, one more than in their prior seven (D1 L5).Scott McTominay has scored 11 goals in his past 22 appearances for Scotland, with only nine players scoring more goals in all competitions among European nations since the start of have lost their past two home internationals, having lost only one of their previous 13 (W9 D3). Indeed, they've conceded four goals in total in their last two games on home soil, as many as in their prior nine was the sixth time Craig Gordon played for Scotland aged 40+ (42y 79d), making up 50% of the times a player has done so for the national team (David Weir x4, Jim Leighton x2).
