LYNDON DYKES says that being mentioned as a tough opponent by Christopher Jullien is a massive compliment, and admits that he has tried to rough up the ‘timid’ Frenchman when they are up against one another.
Dykes gave Jullien another torrid 90 minutes on Wednesday night after giving the £7m man a bruising introduction to Scottish football in Livi’s 2-0 win over Celtic back in October.
Jullien apologised to the Celtic fans after that game for being ‘too nervous’, but that admission was music to the ears of Dykes.
"I heard he said that,” Dykes said. “I don't know what it is. Maybe he was a bit timid and a few times I got in behind him, and he was a bit nervous.
“It's a big compliment to me because he's a £7 million defender saying something like that about me.
“He's a great player. I just went out to do my best and show him he wasn't going to get an easy time of it.
"I just go out like it's another person and do my best. I think that's twice now I've ruffled him up a bit and he hasn't liked it. So that's pleasing.
“But he's a great player and he shows that week in and week out."
Australia assistant manager René Meulensteen was in attendance at the Tony Macaroni Arena during the week to run the rule over Dykes, but the forward is still unsure whether his allegiance will lie with the Socceroos or with Scotland.
"I'm not quite sure,” he said. “It's so hard.
“Whoever wants to come and speak to me then I am obviously open to speaking to them both and seeing what happens. But I am only thinking about a top six finish for Livingston and anything above that is a bonus.
"It's not something that's come to my mind yet. I've been focused on Livingston and trying to do well and whatever happens, happens.
"International squads are announced in two weeks I think and obviously I would love something to happen. But you know as much as me.
"It's news to me that Australia were here watching me. Hopefully, I impressed them.
"It would be a dream to play internationally for any footballer. It's one of those things that it has to come to the table. I am in the dark about it. I've just got to see what happens.
“Hopefully, I could kick on at international level too. I think I have got a lot more to my game because I want to reach the highest possible level."
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