Steve Clarke has made a last-ditch move to get Lyndon Dykes to choose Scotland over Australia.
The national boss has held talks with the on-form Livingston striker and told him he wants him to commit to Scotland.
Clarke’s late intervention has proved something of a curve ball as Dykes was all set to be called up by Australia.
Dykes was born in the Gold Coast but is eligible to play for Scotland as his parents are from Dumfries.
The Livi star now has a decision to make and is currently considering his international options.
The frontman is keen to play international football and it could come down to where he feels he will get the best opportunity.
Scotland have struggled for a regular striker although Leigh Griffiths is now back in form, there is Hearts striker Stevie Naismith, Marc McNulty at Hibs, Sheffield United’s Oli McBurnie and Dundee United goal machine Lawrence Shankland are now among Clarke’s growing options.
Dykes could be given a baptism of fire and be named in Scotland’s squad for the Nations League play-off with Israel, although he will also have exciting options with the Socceroos, who are on the verge of World Cup qualification.
Australia boss Graham Arnold thought he had convinced Dykes to play for his homeland but is now aware of Scotland’s move and is trying hard to fend it off.
He sent his assistant Rene Meulensteen to watch Dykes and hold talks with him after the recent draw with Celtic .
Australia were ready to call him up for this month’s World Cup qualifiers with Kuwait and away to Nepal but they have now been cancelled because of the threat of coronavirus.
That means that he would have to wait even longer to give Dykes an international cap and that could leave the door open for Scotland.
Both countries are now waiting anxiously for Dykes to make his decision.
The 24-year-old has been one of the top strikers in the Premiership this season having made the step up from Championship side Queen of the South in the summer.
