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Sport
Callum Carson

Livingston striker should be on Scotland 'radar', says boss David Martindale

Livingston boss David Martindale believes striker Bruce Anderson deserves to be in the discussion for a Scotland call-up.

The 23-year-old has netted seven times in the last 12 games and is currently the leading Scottish marksman in the top flight.

National team boss Steve Clarke could be tempted to look at other striking options for the scheduled match against Ukraine later this month given Hibs’ Kevin Nisbet has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Martindale said: “He’s the leading Scottish scorer in the Premiership and he’s also chipped in with a few assists this season too.

“I don’t want to tell Steve how to do his job because he’s a very good manager but he’s got to be on the radar.

“It’s not just about his goals. He does bring a lot more to his game.”

The gaffer though insisted it would be unfair to compare Anderson to former Livi striker Lyndon Dykes.

Dykes was a star performer during his stay at the Tony Macaroni Arena and tallied nine goals in his sole full season with the club before a club record transfer to Queens Park Rangers and has since established himself as a Scotland regular.

Martindale said: “Bruce has done brilliantly for us and there is a lot more to come from him. His game has come on leaps on bounds.

“If we can get the ball into the box I know Bruce will be there or thereabouts and get his goals.

“He is probably the opposite of Lyndon Dykes. Although he scored goals for us, Lyndon’s work outside the box was incredible, one of the best strikers in that respect that I’ve worked with.”

He added: “I am now coaching Bruce on that side of the game whereas I was coaching Lyndon on the finishing side of the game. It’s trying to work on their weaknesses.

“Bruce is going out there to score goals but you also need to help the team. Any modern day striker has to do an element of both because teams generally play with a central striker now. It’s rare to have two up front.

“His link-up and work rate has come on leaps and bounds.”

Dykes moved for a club record initial fee of £1.7million to QPR and has since netted six times in 20 games for Scotland since departing West Lothian 18 months ago.

Martindale added: “I don’t use Lyndon as a template for helping Bruce but I think he does.

“When he came in to the club, he looked at Lyndon’s career trajectory. Bruce has scored more goals than Lyndon and he got a move to QPR for nearly £2 million.

“In goals he is outperforming him in that respect but Lyndon probably brought more to the team outside the box. I think Bruce maybe uses it as a yardstick but I don’t.”

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