QPR’s Lyndon Dykes opens up about on-field clashes with Aston Villa and Man United defenders | OneFootball

QPR and Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes has opened up on his on-pitch clashes with Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings during Friday’s 0-0 draw with England.

Dykes has started both of Scotland’s games in Euro 2020 so far and made has made an impact, despite Steve Clarke’s side having not yet found the net.

The 25-year-old finished his first season with the R’s with 12 goals but has failed to add to his international goal tally during the tournament, missing two big chances so far (Sofascore).

Even so, his physicality was important against England and saw him clash with multiple Premier League defenders, including Shaw and Mings.

Speaking to The Scotsman, Dykes opened up on those battles – including leaving the Man United left-back floored in the opening second of the game.

He said: “I think I just caught him with my knee on his leg.

“The referee actually pulled me beforehand and tried to warn me for my headers and stuff. He pulled me up in the warm-up. He (then) tried to get me to say sorry.

“Obviously I smashed him a bit there and I think from that a few of the boys didn’t really want it in the England team.”

On the subject of coming up against Mings, he said: “It was a good fight. I liked it.”

Dykes joined the R’s from Livingston last season in a deal reportedly worth in the region of £2 million.

He didn’t always look worth that full fee but finished the season with a flourish to end with 12 goals and five assists.

Did each of these 20 midfielders ever score a goal for QPR?

The Verdict

While he wasn’t at his best in front of goal, Dykes certainly proved a nuisance for the England defenders on Friday night and wasn’t afraid of getting into a physical battle.

These are the comments of a striker full of confidence and R’s fans will likely be hoping he carries that into the 2021/22 Championship campaign.

If the Scotland international can recapture his late-season form, he will be a massive asset for Mark Warburton next term.