Ross Stewart 'big money' attributes in focus as former Scotland striker bigs up Steve Clarke's attacking options

His son has ‘Dykes 9’ on the back of his shirt and Craig Beattie has no doubt the QPR hitman has earned the label of Scotland’s first choice striker.

But it’s another powerhouse forward, Ross Stewart, who the former Celtic and Scotland frontman reckons is primed to make a name for himself on the international scene.

Beattie knows what it’s like to carry the weight of goal expectation for Scotland. And he insists Steve Clarke is now blessed with excellent options in the danger zone after years of not knowing where the next strike was coming from.

Dykes, he expects, will lead the line for the crunch World Cup play-off semi final against Ukraine at Hampden next Wednesday. Che Adams is likely to play just off him.

But the presence on the bench of towering Sunderland striker Stewart, fresh off a 26-goal season that helped the Black Cats win promotion to the Championship via the play-offs, could prove vital in surprising the Ukrainians.

Beattie said: “I’m a big fan of Ross Stewart and have been for a long time.

“I was doing some commentary for BBC at the Challenge Cup final a few years ago between Ross County and Connah’s Quay Nomads.

“Ross was playing and he was phenomenal in that cup run. I remember going onto Radio Clyde and I was singing his praises.

“The host Gordon Duncan thought because I was talking about him so much that we were related or something!

“He’s went to Sunderland and he is on a high after scoring in the final to get them into the Championship.

“He's tall, strong, quick, good with the ball at his feet and a good finisher, what more can you ask?

“People will pay big money for someone with those attributes.

“He’s a threat there’s no doubt about it and he’s a different option and someone the Ukraine