Dykes has rarely been a prolific scorer for club or country. The report says he has scored just once for Scotland in the past three years, while his recent club returns have been modest: six goals in 43 appearances, six in 34, and seven in 43 across his last three seasons.
Yet Clarke’s selection of Dykes ahead of Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie points to a wider assessment of the forward. He can contest long balls, occupy centre-backs and help Scotland push up the pitch. Those traits matter particularly when a team is expected to spend periods without possession.
There is also a clear historical reason for Clarke’s faith. The report says Dykes has scored in nine Scotland internationals, with the team winning all of them. Four of those goals were winners, giving his appearances a significance that his overall scoring record does not fully capture.
His value is therefore tied to timing and function rather than volume. A late introduction could give Scotland an outlet, protect a lead or help turn Morocco’s defenders towards their own goal.
The 29-year-old missed Scotland’s last European Championship through injury after remaining close to the squad. His return to a major tournament carries personal weight, while his path from Australia, rugby league and Australian rules football to the international game adds to the sense of a career earned the hard way.
Scotland will need more than resistance against Morocco. The next test will show whether Dykes’ energy and directness can help create attacking pressure, even if his starting role remains uncertain.