Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes has advocated for his national team to adopt a uniform look involving shaved heads and tattoos ahead of their World Cup group stage matches. The 30-year-old Charlton Athletic forward said his teammates encouraged him to get a close-cropped No 1 buzz-cut for the tournament, and he now suggests the entire squad follow suit to foster a sense of unity and toughness.

Dykes, who is known for his numerous tattoos, expressed interest in adding a World Cup-themed tattoo during the competition and urged several teammates to do the same. “We could maybe get a couple of skinheads as well — or just get a whole team of skinheads and everyone with a tattoo! That would be brilliant,” he said. When asked which player would be least willing to shave his head, Dykes singled out Scott McTominay, joking that the midfielder prioritizes his appearance.

This is not the first time Dykes has sported a shaved head in a major Scotland fixture. He first cut his hair short ahead of the decisive penalty shootout victory over Serbia in 2020 that secured Scotland’s place at the European Championship. He repeated the look before the 2021 clash with England at Wembley, saying the change signals a serious mindset to opponents and teammates alike.

Dykes noted that the shaved head has become something of a trademark in the current camp, suggesting it projects a more aggressive image. He also mentioned practical reasons, including trying to build a suntan on his scalp. “The boys like it when it’s shaved. I don’t know what it is but they prefer the bald Dykes — it’s a bit more aggressive, maybe,” he said.

Looking ahead to Scotland’s upcoming matches, Dykes expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome their next two opponents, Morocco and Brazil, after a victory in their opening World Cup game. “We have three games, we’ve won one of them so far and have two more to go. We want to win both of those as well. It is going to be difficult but every game we’re going to play, we want to try to win,” he said. He emphasized the positive atmosphere within the squad and the importance of taking each match as it comes.

Dykes was a substitute during Scotland’s first match against Haiti but indicated he is ready to start in their next fixture in Boston, where manager Steve Clarke has been considering a 3-5-2 formation. “I always give my best and wear my heart on my sleeve. It’s up to the manager but I’m ready for whatever,” he added.