Report: Lyndon Dykes set to leave Scotland after former links to Celtic

By David Walton

August 16, 2020

English Championship side QPR have had a £2million bid accepted for Livingston striker Lyndon Dykes, according to the Daily Mail.

Dykes has failed to make the matchday squad for today’s clash with Rangers at the Tony Macaroni Arena. This comes as the Mail reports that the final details of the deal are in the process of being completed.

The newspaper has also reported that QPR Director of Football Les Ferdinand has been to watch Livi hitman Dykes on several occasions. The London-based outfit is currently managed by ex-Rangers boss Mark Warburton.

Reported Celtic target Lyndon Dykes in action against Hearts / (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Australian-born Dykes was linked with a potential move to Celtic by the Daily Mail back in June. However, with Celtic signing Albian Ajeti last week in a £5million deal (Sky Sports), any move for Dykes would appear to be low on the Parkhead side’s agenda.

The outlet has also today reported that Barnsley and Middlesbrough were also showing an interest in the Livi forward.

A player who just wasn’t high enough on Celtic’s wishlist

When it came to adding firepower to the Parkhead ranks, Dykes simply wasn’t a name that excited enough. That likely comes from his goal-record.

Despite making 33 appearances last term, the Aussie only managed 12 goals (Transfermarkt). Some will say that’s a decent enough return at Livingston, but is it really Celtic quality?

After all, Steven Fletcher managed 13 goals three less outings last season (Transfermarkt). There was hardly an overwhelming desire to bring him back up the road before he signed for Stoke City.

It’s perhaps harsh to say that Celtic made Dykes famous, but he really came to the fore in a 2-0 win against the Hoops early last season. After a dominant performance against Christopher Jullien, his stock never lowered.

Lyndon Dykes (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Yet, to say he truly kicked on from that victory would be going over the top. Dykes went on to have a fairly decent season, but nothing convincing.

Remember, Nicke Kabamba, Ross Stewart, Marios Ogboe, and Sam Cosgrove have all given Jullien a hard time since the Frenchman arrived in Scotland. How many of those would you take at Parkhead right now?

So good luck to Dykes if the move to QPR does indeed get the go-ahead. But for Celtic, this never appeared to be a massive priority.

In other news, Sky Sports man Davie Provan believes Boli Bolingoli’s agent will be “doing cartwheels”.