According to a recent report by the Daily Mail, Premiership giants Celtic are said to be among a host of clubs interested in acquiring the services of Livingston striker Lyndon Dykes. The report suggests that Celtic and their Old Firm rivals Rangers are both vying for the attacker’s signature in the summer and that there also a plethora of English clubs that are considering the forward. To that effect, Livingston are said to have placed a £2m price tag on the Australian striker’s head.
Although it has been clarified that Celtic are keen on Lyndon Dykes, the competition they’re set to face from the likes of Rangers and Stoke City will pose the biggest challenge to Neil Lennon. Stoke, Middlesbrough, Millwall, Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and Barnsley are all said to have made enquiries about the forward’s availability over the last few weeks. The forward is reportedly eligible to choose between either of Scotland or Australia to commit his national allegiance since he was born in the Gold Coast.
What Is Celtic’s Situation In Attack At This Point?
Odsonne Edouard is arguably one of the highest-rated young strikers in the European game at the moment, and his exploits for Neil Lennon’s side over the course of the current season have been nothing short of sensational. While his consistent performance levels have been a blessing to the manager, his overall quality has the potential to force the forward to make a move away from Parkhead this summer.
As had been suggested by the Express earlier, Edouard has been the subject of interest from Premier League giants Arsenal – a move that could prove to be too much to pass up on for the attacker.
Edouard’s goal-scoring rate all through the Premiership season has been commendable, to say the least, and taking his efforts out of the Celts’ first-team picture is sure to have dire effects. His 27 top-flight appearances this term has yielded 21 goals and 12 assists – more than a telling contribution every time he steps onto the pitch. Asking someone like Leigh Griffiths to take over the number one role would be asking for trouble, while Patryk Klimala is still far too young to be depended on regularly. The only other remaining option – Vakoun Bayo, hasn’t done early enough to warrant a place in the first-team.
What Makes Lyndon Dykes An Attractive Option For Celtic?
The Australian forward displayed excellent form for Livingston this season, and his efforts resulted in nine goals and eight assists from 25 Premiership outings. The striker is a willing runner with the ball but is undoubtedly at his best when inside the opposition box. Possessing strong predatory instincts, the 24-year-old offers a good presence in the final third, while he also boasts excellent finishing abilities. Standing at just under 1.88m tall, Dykes tends to be a dominant header when attacking aerial balls played into the box as well.
Celtic Are Keen On Lyndon Dykes: Why Neil Lennon Must Snap Him Up
Going into what is sure to be a pivotal season in the history of this renowned football club without their first-choice target man, could have some adverse effects on the morale of the team. Edouard is unquestionably the most irreplaceable name in Lennon’s squad, and trying to find an alternative for his brilliance will undoubtedly prove to be a difficult task. In Dykes, they seem to have identified a proven Premiership goalscorer, and it’s essential for the Bhoys to beat Rangers and the others to his signature this summer, even if Edouard doesn’t choose to leave immediately.
