Lyndon Dykes suffers Scotland agony as injured striker ruled out of Euro 2024

Scotland have confirmed that Lyndon Dykes has been ruled OUT of Euro 2024.

The QPR striker suffered a freak training ground injury at Lesser Hampden yesterday as he was stretchered off the pitch with a leg issue. Dykes was immediately sent for scans as serious doubts hung over his chances of recovering in time for the Germany showpiece.

Now, the ex-Livingston star’s worst fears have been confirmed after the national team announced that he had been ruled out of the squad. A statement read: “Following an injury in training yesterday, Lyndon Dykes has been ruled out of the squad for UEFA EURO 2024. We’re gutted for you, Lyndon, but know you’ll be back in a Scotland shirt soon. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”

It’s a bitter blow for Steve Clarke, who now has just two recognised strikers to choose from, with Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams vying for starts.

Close pal and international teammate Ryan Christie told how the Scotland squad were left devastated by Dykes’ injury yesterday and vowed to rally behind the popular player.

He told Sportsound: “All the boys were gutted for Lyndon, it was a kind of freak thing to happen. It’s the last thing you want, Lyndon has been off a while now because of the Championship. I’m quite close to him so I know how hard he worked in his weeks off to prepare for this tournament.

“Listen, it’s one of those things and there’s not much me or any of the other boys can say to him at this moment in time. We’re just trying to get behind him and I’m sure he’ll still be supporting us. If Lyndon doesn’t make it will that make us even more determined? Absolutely, it would add another reason for us to go and do well, for him and for the rest of the country.

“We have had a few injuries leading into this so it has been frustrating. But there’s a real camaraderie among the squad, we’re a close group.”