Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes is confident Steve Clarke’s side can handle the pressure heading into this weekend’s vital World Cup qualifier against Greece in Athens.
In what is a blockbuster double-header, Scotland know they need to take a point against the Greeks on Saturday night to tee up a winner-takes-all clash with Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday.
Clarke’s side are bidding to end a generation of pain and become the first Scotland team to qualify for a World Cup since 1998.
Dykes is fully aware that the players will have the expectations of an entire nation on their shoulders, but he has vowed the Scots will show cool heads when the heat is on — and ultimately get the job done.
‘I think we’ve done great so far, we’ve got a play-off place,’ said the 30-year-old striker. ‘Obviously, the closer we get to the game on Saturday night, I’m sure the whole squad will have a little bit of nerves because we know how big this is.
‘There is pressure on these games, but the squad that we have, the players that we have, have all played in massive games.
Lyndon Dykes believes this Scotland side have proved they can rise to the big occasion
Dykes scores the late goal against Greece that completed a remarkable comeback last month
Dykes and the rest of the Scotland squad prepare to travel to Turkey for their training camp
‘Pressure comes in this sport, so you take that. The Serbia game [to qualify for Euro 2020] seems a long time ago now, but the pressure on that game was massive and we got through it as a team.
‘Ever since that situation and that moment, we’ve kind of grown from there. We know we can always get through things as a team.
‘Though the squad’s changed a little bit from there, we’ve still got some of those players. That’s the core of the Scotland squad and the Scottish nation — when we’re all together and we’re all aligned, we get things done.
‘Since I’ve come into this team, I’ve been confident of the squad, confident of all the players. These international games are difficult but I truly believe what we have as a team gets us over the line.
‘The Serbia game a few years ago was very special to me and a lot of other boys, but we didn’t have any crowd there.
‘Being at a full Hampden with all the supporters, and knowing if we get a result we go to the World Cup, it would definitely top it.
Dykes says the chance to qualify for the World Cup at a sold-out Hampden would be tantalising
‘It would be great to go to Hampden against Denmark knowing exactly what we need to do. But we’ve got a job to do against Greece first and foremost.
‘We didn’t play our best against them last month but still won the game. That ultimately builds momentum, which is what you always want in football.’
Dykes scored Scotland’s third goal in stoppage time when they beat Greece 3-1 at Hampden last month in what as a classic smash-and-grab performance from Clarke’s side.
He came close to a loan move to Hibs towards the end of the summer transfer window, only for his parent club Birmingham City to pull the plug after failing to reach an agreement about his wages.
Dykes has largely been on the periphery at the English Championship side, but he insists he’s fit and raring to go if called upon by Clarke.
‘I feel good,’ said the target man, who has won 46 caps for Scotland. ‘I had a bit of an injury at the end of last season. But I went through all of pre-season and this whole season so far injury-free.
Dykes has only featured sporadically for Birmingham this term but insists he is fitter than ever
‘I feel really strong, really fit, really confident. I haven’t started many games but that’s not my decision. You have to change your mindset a bit to still be 100-per-cent committed.
‘I’ve got little game time in the Championship this year from what I’ve been used to in previous years but I’m still trying to do my best.
‘I’ve scored a couple of goals to get points for Birmingham, scored recently for Scotland as well. Getting a little bit older now, I’ve come to a different place mentally as well.
‘I feel strong in my mind and strong in my body and when they both connect, I feel in a good place. In professional sport, if you’re mentally strong, you can perform.’
