Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes has expressed strong confidence in his team's ability to withstand the mounting pressure as they approach their decisive World Cup qualification match against Greece this Saturday in Athens.
Handling the Pressure of National Expectations
The 30-year-old forward acknowledges that the entire Scottish squad will experience nerves ahead of what he describes as a massive encounter. Scotland requires at least a point against Greece to set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday.
Dykes emphasised the team's collective experience in high-stakes situations, pointing to their successful qualification for Euro 2020 against Serbia as evidence of their mental fortitude. "Pressure comes in this sport, so you take that," Dykes stated. "The Serbia game seems a long time ago now, but the pressure on that game was massive and we got through it as a team."
The Queens Park Rangers striker believes that since that pivotal moment in Serbia, the Scottish national team has grown significantly in confidence and cohesion. "Ever since that situation and that moment, we've kind of grown from there," he explained. "We know we can always get through things as a team."
The Hampden Dream and Greek Challenge
Dykes finds the prospect of qualifying for the World Cup in front of a packed Hampden Park particularly tantalising. "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," he revealed, while maintaining focus on the immediate task against Greece.
The striker scored Scotland's third goal in stoppage time during their 3-1 victory over Greece at Hampden last month, completing what he described as a "classic smash-and-grab performance" from Steve Clarke's side. Despite not playing at their best in that encounter, Dykes believes the result built crucial momentum heading into these decisive matches.
"We've got a job to do against Greece first and foremost," Dykes stressed, acknowledging that while the Denmark match looms large, their immediate focus remains firmly on securing the necessary result in Athens.
Personal Fitness and Mental Strength
Despite limited playing time at Birmingham City this season, Dykes insists he's in excellent physical condition and ready to contribute if called upon by manager Steve Clarke. The striker has won 46 caps for Scotland and maintains that both his body and mind are in optimal shape for the challenges ahead.
"I feel really strong, really fit, really confident," Dykes affirmed. "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."
Dykes highlighted his mental development as a key factor in his preparedness, stating: "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."
Scotland's mission is clear: secure qualification for their first World Cup since 1998, ending what Dykes describes as "a generation of pain" for Scottish football supporters. With cool heads and collective determination, the striker believes this Scotland squad possesses the necessary qualities to achieve this historic feat.
