Scotland: Steve Clarke selects Lyndon Dykes in Nations League squad
Australia-born striker Lyndon Dykes has been included in the Scotland squad for the Nations League matches against Israel and the Czech Republic.
Dykes, 24, was born on the Gold Coast to parents from Dumfries, and recently joined Queens Park Rangers after 18 months at Livingston.
He joins former Livingston team-mate, goalkeeper Robby McCrorie, in earning a first call up.
The 22-year-old is on loan at the West Lothian club from Rangers.
There is, however, no place for Hearts duo Steven Naismith and Craig Gordon, whose season will not start until October.
Clarke also confirmed that US-based attackers Johnny Russell and Lewis Morgan were not considered because of quarantine rules.
Winger Ryan Fraser told Scottish FA medical staff he was not fit enough to be considered, having not played since early March after deciding to leave Bournemouth, while West Brom forward Matt Phillips has also been exclude
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Scotland host Israel on 4 September and visit Czech Republic three days later, with both games behind closed doors.
‘Dykes had to make own decision’
Clarke said he spoke to Dykes at the start of the year but did not “put on any pressure” in an attempt to get him to declare for Scotland.
The forward will not be tied to Scotland until he earns his first cap.
“It was very important for Lyndon to make the decision that he wanted to make,” Clarke said.
“Obviously we can give him little ideas and we can say what it’s going to be like if he comes in to in the Scotland camp. I’m just glad that he’s come down on our side.”
Scotland Under-21 cap McCrorie re-joined Livingston on loan for this season after finishing last term with Gary Holt’s side.
He has kept two clean sheets in 12 games for the West Lothian team in 2020 while McLaughlin, who joined Rangers this summer, has registered four shut-outs in recent weeks.
Jon McLaughlin, David Marshall and Craig MacGillivray were the goalkeepers in Clarke’s last squad, but the latter has not played since January.
Marshall, who started Scotland’s last match against Kazakhstan in November, has joined Derby County and his club’s 2020-21 campaign does not begin until September.
