FORMER Redlands United player Lyndon Dykes is blazing a trail for Australian footballers after starting for Scotland against Czech Republic in the European Championships this week.
The 25-year-old forward played at the Cleveland-based club in 2015 but has gone onto achieve big things in the UK, having been picked up for second division side Queens Park Rangers in 2020 on a $4.6 million fee.
Dykes, whose parents were born in Scotland, grew up in with aspirations of playing rugby league but made his mark abroad last season with 12 goals in 42 appearances as QPR finished ninth in the Championship.
He has 13 caps for Scotland and could again start against a star-studded England line-up on Saturday morning as the side play their second EURO group match.
- Also read: Queenslander Dykes explains Scots decision
- Also read: Aussie hitman Dykes set for big-money move
- Also read: Toney earns Championship win for Brentford
It comes on the back of a 2-0 loss to Czech Republic at Hampden Park in Glasgow, where Dykes played 79 minutes before being substituted.
Redlands United plans to get behind their former talisman, with the game to be shown live at their Cleveland clubhouse in the early hours of the morning.
Dykes, born on the Gold Coast, made his Scotland debut during the side's 1-1 draw with Israel in September 2020.
It came after he his time playing at Scottish Championship side Queen of the South FC and Premiership side Livingston.
He had a long playing stint in Australia with other south-east Queensland clubs like Merrimac FC, Gold Coast City and Surfers Paradise Apollo.
Dykes has plenty of sporting pedigree, with his sister Hollie, 30, winning two gymnastics gold medals for Australia at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Read more local sport news here.