FORMER Redlands United player Lyndon Dykes has shown young footballers dreams do come true after making three starts for Scotland at the European Championships this month.
The 25-year-old, who played a season at the Cleveland-based club, is also blazing a trail in England with second division side Queens Park Rangers.
Redlands United have been right behind the Gold Coast-born prodigy throughout the European campaign, having screened Scotland matches in the clubhouse to hundreds of admiring supporters.
Dykes, whose parents hail from Scotland, pledged his allegiance to the national side last year and has gone onto earn 15 caps since making his debut in September.
Redlands United president Ben Brock said there had been great excitement at having a former Redlands player at the Euros.
"It's good for the club and it's good watching him play," he said. "I think a lot of the young kids have been excited that a Redlands player is playing for Scotland.
"It is absolutely massive for kids realising that if you put the hard work in and persevere, anything is possible.
"It gives these kids a pathway. Playing for England, Scotland or in the English Premier League is a dream for some of them.
"Examples like that are massive for football in Queensland and Australia. It is all about pathways and people realising there is a way to go further."
It came after he was picked up from Scottish Premiership club Livingston FC for $4.6 million.
Brock said former Redlands coaches saw Dykes as a loveable larrikin during his time at the club.
"He was keen and motivated," he said. "No one would would have really known at that stage where he was heading, but the signs were definitely there.
"It would be nice to get Lyndon back and around (Redlands), but we won't be coming back to Australia for a while I dare say."
Scotland were knocked out of the Euros after going down 3-1 to Croatia, who progressed to the last 16 along with England.
The side put up a fight against their highly-fancied UK rivals during a clash earlier in the week, drawing 0-0 at Wembley.
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